/o./-^.^./. 


LIBRARY  OF   THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


PRINCETON,  N.  J. 


Di^ision...'t5..A.  /  /^  ^ 


Section. 


L  Z 


MANUAL 


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BRISTOL,  li.   I.,     /\>^  ^^^ 

Oct  1.4  1Q9T 


16S7— 1872. 


CONTAINING 

FORMS,  PRINCIPLES  AND  RULES  ADOPTED  BY  THE  CHURCH  ; 
THE  DISTINCTIVE  FEATURES  OF  CONGREGATIONALISM 
AS  HELD  AND  PRACTICED  BY  THE  CHURCHES  OF 
OUR  ORDER  FROM  THE  DAYS  OF  THE  PIL- 
GRIMS TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME  ; 

ALSO, 

A  History  of  the  Church,  with  Biographical  Notes  of 
THE  Early  3Iembers  and  Successive  Pastors, 
FROM  THE  First  Settlement  of  the 
Town  in  icso  to  the  close 

OF  THE  YEAR  1872 ; 
and  A 

CATALOGLK  OF  TUE  OFFICERS  AND  MEMBERS. 


COMPILED  BY  J.  I'.  LANE,  PASTOK. 


PROVIDENCE  : 

rBOriDENCE    PRESS    COJIPANT,    PRINTERS 
1873. 


GENERAL     INDEX 


FORMS,  PRINCIPLES  AXD  RULES. 

PAGE. 

I.— Reception  OF  Membeks,    -              -              -  13 

II. — Baptism  of  Children,               _              _  i8 

III. — Letter  of  Dismission,  and  Return  Certifi- 
cate,              -              -              -  .            -  19 

IV. — Articles    of   Faith    and    the   Covenant. 

Adopted  1833,  March  7,          -                -  20 

Y. — Declaration  of  Faith.    National  Council, 

Boston,  Mass.,  1865,        -               -                -  25 

VI. — Principles  of  Congregationalism,     -  29 

I.-Officers,                   -                -                -  29 

II. -Powers  and  Duties  of  Officers.    -  29 

Ill.-Power  of  the  Church,           -                -  30 

1.  The  Power  of  Electing  its   own 

Ofticers,                  -               -  30 

2.  Admitting  or  Exchiding  its  own 

Members,      -                -                -  31 

3.  Forming  its  own  Creed,        -  31 

4.  Details   of  Worship,   and  Modes 

of  Procedure,               -                -  31 

5.  Independence,         -               -  31 

IV.-Ecclesiastical  Bodies,            -               -  34 

V. -Ecclesiastical  Councils,                 -  35 


]V. 


VI.-Conditions,of  Membersliip,  -      26 
VII, -Intercourse  with  other  Denominations,  37 

VII.— Rules  for  Business  Meetings,  -            38 

Vni— By-Laws.    Adopted  1869,  May  14,  -      42 

I.-Officers,           -                -  -              42 

] I. -Annual  Meeting,                    -  -      42 

Ill.-Special  Meetings,           -  -             43 

IV. -Ordinary  Business,                 -  -      43 

V. -Decision  by  Majority  Vote,  etc.,  43 

VI. -Quorum,                 -               -  -      43 

VII. -Admission  and  Dismission  of  Members,  43 

VIII.-The  Lord's  Supper,                -  -      44 

HISTORY. 

I.— The  Foundations  Laid.  1620-1691,  -            47 

Preliminary  survey  of  the  ground,  -      48 

Settlement  of  the  town  oi  Bristol,  -             50 

Eftbrts  to  settle  a  Gospel  Ministry,  -      54 

Erection  of  a  House  of  Worship,  -             65 

Organization  of  the  Church,            -  -      68 

Biographical  notes  of  the  Early  Members,  72 

John  Walley,         -              -  -      72 

Nathaniel  Byfield,       -  -            74 

Mrs.  Deborah  Byfield,        -  -      82 

Mrs.  Sarah  Byfield,      -  -            82 

Benjamin  Church,                -  -      84 

John  Cary%                       -  -            90 

Nathaniel  Reynolds,           -  -      91 

Hugh  Woodbury,           -  -             91 


V. 

PAGE. 

WILLIA3I  ThKOOP,                          -                    -  91 

Nathaniel  Boswokth,                  -  92 

Samuel  Lee,   D.   D.,   Founder    and    First 

Pastor,                   -                -                -  93 

Tlie  Ministry  Lands,         -               -               -  107 

II.    The  Building  Going  Fokwakd.  1691-1718,  109 

Efforts  to  obtiiin  a  Pastor,         -               -  109 

John  Sparhawk,  Second  Pastor,                  -  110 

III.— Storm  AND  Pekil.    1718-1740,                -  112 

The  McSparran  diflSculties,             -               -  112 

Day  of  Prayer  and  Choice  of  Pastor,    -  115 

Xatlianiel  Cotton,  Third  Pastor,     -                -  116 

Barnabas  TayJor,  Fourth  Pastor,             -  119 

IV.— Peace  and  Prospekity.    1740-1775,  120 

John  Burt,  Fifth  Pastor,                  -               -  120 

v.— Halting  of  the  Work.    1775-1785,  124 

Scattered  witliout  a  Sliepherd.    -               -  124 

VI.— The  Work  Renewed.  1785-1812,      -  132 

The  Catiiolic  Society  organized,  -               -  132 

Erection  of  the  Second  House  of  Worship,  133 

Henry  Wight,  D.  D.,  Sixth  Pastor,            -  134 

VIL— The  Period  of  Revivals.    1812-1830,  138 

The  Revival  of  1812,     -               -               -  138 

Joel  Mann,  Seventh  Pastor,             -  141 

The  Sabbath  School  begun,          -               -  142 

The  Revival  of  1820,              -               -  143 

Erection  of  "  the  Hall,"                -               -  145 

Isaac  Lewis,  D.  D.,  Eighth  Pas*^or,     -  147 

The  Revival  of  1830.      -               -                -  152 


VI 


VIII.— The   Building    Still   Going    Fo'.iward. 

1830-1872,        -       -       -  154 

John  Starkweather,  Ninth  Pastor,      -  154 

Thos.  Shepcrd,  B.  D.,  Tenth  Pastor,           -  154 

Erection  of  the  Third  House  of  Worship,  156 

Cyrus  P.  Osborne,  Eleventh  Pastor,           -  160 

Payment  of  the  Debt,             -                -  161 

Erection  of  "  the  Memorial  Chapel,"        -  162 

James  P.  Lane,  Twelfth  Pastor,          -  166 

Funds  and  Charitable  Contributions,        -  167 

Sacramental  Furniture,                     '    -  169 

CATALOGUE  OF  THE  OFFICERS  AND  MEMBERS. 

Officers,      -----  175 

Members,            -               -               -               _  176 

Officers  and  Members.     1872. 

Officers,               -               -               -               -  221 

Members,    -               -               -               -               -  222 


l^lanua!  of  the  Jjii-st  Church,  Sr.isiol,  %.  %. 


FORMS,  PRINCIPLES  AND  RULES. 


/.ci  till  Uu7i<js  he  done  decently  and  in  order 

I   COK.   XIV.   40. 


MANUAL. 


I. 

RECEPTION  OF  MEMBERS. 

During  the  reading  of  the  Scriptures^  candidates 
who  are  to  be  received  on  Profession  of  Faith  will 
come  forward. 

I.  Reading  of  the  Scriptures. 

Jesus  saith,  "  Come  unto  me  all  je  that  labor  and 
are  heaA'j  laden  and  I  will  give  3'ou  rest ;  take  my 
yoke  upon  you  and  learn  of  me,  and  3'e  shall  find 
rest  unto  your  souls  ;  for  my  3'oke  is  eas}^  and  my 
burden  is  light." 

"  And  the  Spiiit  and  the  Bride  say  Come  ;  and  let 
him  that  heareth  say  Come  ;  and  let  him  that  is 
athii'st  come  ;  and  whosoever  will,  let  Mm  take  of 
the  water  of  life  freely." 

II.  Profession  of  Faith. 

"We  believe  in  the  one  living  and  true  God — 
Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost — who  hath  made  Heaven 
and  Earth  and  all  that  in  them  is  ;  who  still  main- 
tains and  governs  them  according  to  the  coimsel  of 
His  hoi}'  will ;  who  is  supremely  to  be  loved  and 
obeyed,  and  alone  to  be  adored* 
2 


14 


In  God,  the  Father  Almighty,  Being  of  Absolute 
perfection,  who  so  loved  the  world  that  He  gave  His 
onl}^  begotten  Son  for  its  redemption ; 

And  in  Jesus  Christ,  His  only  Son,  our  Lord  ;  who 
was  in  the  beginning  with  God  and  was  God  ;  who 
became  man,  and  suffered  to  take  away  the  sin  of 
the  world ;  in  whom  alone  we  have  redemption, 
being  justified  freely  through  faith  in  His  blood  ;  who 
rose  from  the  dead,  ascended  into  Heaven  and  sitteth 
on  the  right  hand  of  the  Father ;  who  shall  come 
again  with  glory  to  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead ; 
whose  kingdom  shall  have  no  end  ; 

And  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Lord  and  Giver  of 
Life  ;  who  proceedeth  from  the  Father  and  the  Son  ; 
through  whom  alone,  we,  being  sinners,  are  renewed 
and  sanctified  ;  by  whose  inspiration  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures were  given,  which  are  able  to  make  us  wise 
unto  salvation  through  faith  which  is  in  Christ 
Jesus  ; 

And  in  one  Church  on  Earth  and  in  Heaven,  and  in 
one  Baptism  for  the  remission  of  sins  ;  and  in  one 
Communion  of  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ ;  and 
we  look  for  the  resurrection  of  the  dead  and  the 
Life  immortal.     Amen. 

Professing  repentance  toward  God,  and  faith  to- 
ward our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  we  declare  our  purpose 
always  to  lead  a  Christian  life  ;  with  pra^^erful  en- 
deavor to  walk  with  all  Christian  Disciples  in  faith- 
fulness, purity  and  love  ;  and  to  continue  in  the 
communion  of  the  Church  on  Earth,  till  we  are 
called  to  the  Church  triumphant  in  Heaven.    Amen. 


15 

This  3^011  heartil}^  believe  and  truly  profess? 
Assent  is  given  by  bowing. 
HI.     Baptism. 

You  who.  received  in  childhood  the  outward  sio-n 
and  seal  of  the  Covenant  of  Grace,  do  now  declare 
3'our  personal  acknowledgment  of  the  same  ? 

Assent  is  given  by  bowing. 

You  who  have  never  received  the  outward  sign 
and  seal  of  the  Covenant  of  Grace,  will  now  present 
3'ourselves  for  Baptism. 

Brief  prayer  ivill  be  offered  by  the  Pastor,  after 
which  each  Candidate,  kneeling  in  succession  at  the 
Font,  idll  receive  Baptism,  Ix  the  name  of  the 
Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Amen.  The  service  closing  tcith  prayer  by  the  Pas- 
tor. 

At  the  close  of  the  Baptismal  Service,  Candidates, 
tvho  are  to  be  received  by  Letter  from  other  Churches, 
will  come  forward,  and,  together  with  those  who  have 
now  professed  the  Christian  Faith,  will  assent  to  the 
Covenant  iclth  this  Church. 

TV.     The  Covenant. 

Dearlv  Beloved  in  the  Lord :— -You  have  been  bap- 
tized    IN    THE     NAME     OF   THE     FaTHER,    AND    OF   THE 

Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost  :  You  have  professed 
the  Christian  Faith  and  Covenanted  with  God  to 
lead  a  Christian  Life  ;  with  prayerful  endeavor  to 
walk  with  all  Christian  Disciples  in  faithfulness,  pu- 
rity and  love  ;  and  1o  continue  in  the  Communion 
of  the  Church  on  Earth  till  you  are  called  to  the 


16 


Church  triumphant  in  Heaven.  You  do,  therefore, 
cheerfully  join  yourselves  to  this  Church  ;  promising 
to  walk  with  us  in  fidelity  in  the  observance  and 
support  of  all  Christian  ordinances,  and  to  strive 
earnestly  for  our  peace,  edification  and  purity,  so 
long  as  3"our  membership  with  us  shall  continue  ? 

Assent  is  giving  by  bowing. 

We  then,  the  members  of  this  Church,  [^Here  the 
members  Wse,]  affectionately  receive  you  to  our 
Communion.  We  welcome  j^ou  in  the  name  of  Christ 
to  a  part  with  us  in  the  blessings  of  His  Covenant, 
and  to  a  share  in  the  duties,  privileges  and  glories 
of  His  Church,  that  great  multitude  who  have  con- 
fessed Him  on  Earth  and  who  follow  the  Lamb  for- 
ever. 

In  token  of  our  confidence,  and  as  a  pledge  of  our 
sympathy  and  love,  our  counsel  and  prayers,  we  give 
you  this  Right  Hand  of  Fellowship. 

Here  the  Pastor  loill  take  each  new  member  by  the 
hand.     Then  the  Churchy  still  standing^  he  mill  say, 

And  now  Beloved  in  the  Lord,  ye  are  no  more 
strangers  and  foreigners,  but  fellow-citizens  with  the 
Saints  and  of  the  Household  of  God  ;  and  are  built 
upon  the  foundation  of  the  Apostles  and  Prophets, 
Jesus  Christ  Himself  being  the  Chief  Corner  Stone. 

For  this  cause,  \^IIere  all  boio  the  head  in  prayer, ~\ 
we  bow  our  knees  unto  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  of  whom  the  whole  family  in  Heaven  and 
Earth  is  named  ;  that  He  would  grant  you  according 
to  the  riches  of  His  glory  to  be  strengthened  with 
might  by  His  Spirit  in  the  inner  man  ;  that  Cln-ist 


17 


may  dwell  in  your  hearts  by  faith  ;  that  3'e,  being 
rooted  and  grounded  in  love,nia3'^be  able  to  compre- 
hend with  all  saints,  what  is  the  breadth  and  length 
and  depth  and  height,  and  to  know  the  love  of  Christ 
which  passeth  knowledge,  that  ye  might  be  filled 
with  all  the  fullness  of  God. 

Now  unto  Him  that  is  able  to  do  exceedino;  abund- 
antly  above  all  that  we  ask  or  think,  accordino;  to 
the  power  that  worketh  in  us,  unto  Him  be  glor}-  in 
the  Church  hy  Christ  Jesus  throughout  all  ages,  world 
without  end.    Amen. 


18 


II. 

BAPTISM  OF  CHILDREN. 

I.  Invocation. 

II.  Address. 

You  present  this  child  mito  God,  seeking  his 
blessing,  who  hath  said,  "  The  promise  is  unto  3^ou 
and  to  3'our  children." 

You  covenant  to  train  him  [her]  in  the  nurture 
and  admonition  of  the  Lord ;  to  instruct  him  [her] 
in  the  Holy  Scriptures  ;  to  walk  before  him  [her]  in 
the  beauty  of  the  Christian  life  ;  and  to  seek  as  your 
chief  end  concerning  him  [her]  his  [her]  salvation 
through  Jesus  Christ,  relying  upon  His  grace  whose 
blessing  is  upon  "  them  that  fear  him,  and  his  right- 
eousness unto  children's  children  to  such  as  keep  His 
covenant,  and  to  those  that  remember  his  command- 
ments to  do  them." 

"  And  they  brought  young  children  to  Jesus  thai 
he  should  touch  them  ;  and  his  disciples  rebuked  those 
that  brought  them.  But  when  Jesus  saw  it  He  was 
much  displeased,  and  said  unto  them,  '  Suffer  little 
children  to  come  unto  me  and  forbid  them  not ;  for 
ui  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God.'  And  he  took  them 
up  in  his  arms,  put  his  hands  upon  them  and  blessed 
them." 

III.     Baptism. 

N.  I  baptise  thee  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and 
of  the  Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 

IV.     Prayer. 


19 


III. 

LETTER  OF  DISMISSION. 

The  Congregational  Church  in  Bristol,  R.  I. 

To  the Church  in sendeth 

greeting : 

Dear  Brethren  :  The  bearer 

a  member  with  us  in  regular  standing,  having  re- 
quested a  letter  of  dismission  from  us  to  unite  with 
3^ou,  we  do  hereb}^  recommend  .  ...  to  3'our  Christian 

fellowship.     When  received  bj  3'ou, membership 

with  us  will  cease,  of  which  fact  j^ou  will  please  no- 
tify us  by  returning  the  enclosed  certificate. 
By  vote  of  the  Church,  this  .  .  .  day  of ...  18  .  . 
Wishing  you  grace,  mercy  and  peace. 
We  are  3'ours  in  the  Lord, 
Clerk. 

RETURN    CERTIFICATE. 

This  certifies   that 

a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church,  in  Bristol, 
R.  I.,  was  received  b}'  letter  to  membership   in  the  .  . 

Church  in .  this  ....  day  of 

18  .  . 

Clerk. 


20 


IV. 

ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  AND  THE  COVENANT. 

Adopted  1833,  March  17. 
We  believe 

I.  That  the  Bible  was  written  by  holy  men  as 
they  w^ere  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  is  a  perfect 
rule  of  faith  and  practice. 

Proof  Texts,  II  Tim.  iii.  16.  II  Pet.  i.  21. 

I  Cor.  ii.  13.  Gal.  i.  11,  12.  Rev.  xxii. 
18,  19. 

II.  That  the  only  living  and  true  God  exists  in 
three  distinct  persons,  the  Father,  the  Son  and  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  is  the  self-existent,  independent 
and  unchangable  moral  GoA^ernor  of  the  Universe, 
infinitely  hol}^,  wise,  just  and  good. 

Proof  Texts,     Isa.  xiv.  5.-  Matt,  xxviii.  19. 

II  Cor.  xiii.  14.     John  i.  1.     Acts  v. 
3,4. 

III.  That  in  consequence  of  the  sin  of  our  first 
parents,  all  mankind  are,  by  nature,  voluntarily  and 
entirely  depraved  or  sinful,  displeased  with  the  true 
character  of  God,  and  unreconciled  to  his  law  and 
government. 

Proof  Texts,  Rom.  v.  12,  18,  19.,  viii.  7,8, 
and  iii.  9-12,  18.  Job  xv.  14.  Eph. 
ii  1-3.  John  v.  42. 

IV.  That  since  the  law  and  justice  of  God  re- 


21 


quired  the  death  of  every  transgressor,  the  death  of 
Christ — God  manifest  in  the  flesh — was  necessary, 
and  has  availed  to  render  it  consistent  for  Him  to 
treat  us  as  thougli  we  had  never  sinned. 

Proof  Texts. ^   Matt.  xxii.  37.    Ezek.  xviii. 

4.  Gal.  ii.  IG.  John  i.  1,  3,  U.  I  Tim. 

iii.  16.     Rom.  iii.   25,  26.     Rom.  v.  8. 

I  Pet.  i.  18-20. 
V.     That  a  cordial  acceptance  of  Christ  in  his  true 
character  and  in  all  his  offices  by  a  faith  which  is 
characterized  by  repentance  of  sin  and  a  hoh'  life  is 
the  indispensible  condition  of  salvation. 

Proof  Texts.,  Mark  xvi.  16.     John  iii.  15. 

and  viii.  24.     Rom.  iii.  28.,  and  v.  1. 

Gal.  ii.  16.     Luke  xiii.  3.     Acts  ii.  38 

and  iii.  19.    Heb.  xii.  14.    Eph.  iv.  24. 

Rom.  vi.  22.    I  Thess.  iv.  7. 

yi.  That  the  voluntary  alienation  of  men  from 
God  is  so  deep  rooted  and  entire  th^  without  the 
special  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  "  reproving  them 
of  sin,  of  righteousness  and  of  judgment,"  thej'  never 
will  comply  with  the  conditions  of  salvation. 

Proof  Texts.,  John  iii.  5.  Titus  iii.  5.  II 
Cor.  V.  17,  18.  Rom.  v.  5.  1  John 
iv.   7. 

VII.  That  all  those  who  do  not  become  recon- 
ciled to  God,  through  faith  in  Christ  Jesus  in  this 
life,  will  be  punished  with  everlasting  destruction 
from  the  presence  of  the  Lord. 

Proof  Texts,  Matt.  xxv.  41-46.  II  Thess. 
i.  9.     John  iii.  16.     Rev.  xiv.  11. 


22 

VIII.  That  all  those  who  do  compl}^  with  the 
conditions  of  salvation  were  "  from  the  beginning 
chosen  to  salvation  through  sanctification  of  the 
Spirit  and  belief  of  the  truth"  and  that  they  will  be 
kept,  b}^  the  power  of  God,  through  faith  unto  salva- 
tion. 

Proof  Texts,  Rom.  viii.  29-39,  ix.  11,  and 
ii.  13.  II  Tim.  i.  9.  I  John  ii.  19. 
John  vi.  39,  and  x.   27-29.     Phil.  i.  G. 

IX.  That  the  sacraments  of  the  New  Testament 
are  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper  ;  Baptism  to  be 
administered  only  to  covenanting  believers  and  their 
households,  and  the  Supper  only  to  believers  in  regu- 
lar standing  and  communion  with  the  church. 

Proof  Texts,  Mat.  xxviii.  19.  Acts  ii.  41. 
Matt.  xxvi.  26-30.  I  Cor.  xi.  23-26. 
Gen.  xvii.  7-14,  comp.  with  Rom.  iv. 
11-16,  and  Acts  ii.  39,  and  Col.  ii.  11, 
12.  Acts  xvi.  15,  33.  I  Cor.  i.  16. 
il  Cor.  vi.  14,  15.  Ps.  i.  16.  I  Cor. 
V.  11. 

X.  That  it  is  the  duty  of  all  true  disciples  of 
Christ  to  acknowledge  Him  before  men,  by  a  public 
consecration  of  themselves  to  His  service  and  b}^  unit- 
ing in  covenant  for  promoting  each  other's  spiritual 
good  and  maintaining  the  faith  and  ordinances  of  the 
Gospel. 

Proof  Texts,  Compare  Matt.  x.  32,  33. 
Mark  xvi.  16.  II  Cor.  vi.  17,  and  Luke 
xxii.  19,  with  Matt,  xviii.  15-17. 


23 


THE  COVENANT. 


Humblj'  hoping  that  you  have  become   imited  to 
Christ  b}^  faith,  and  esteeming  it   a  delightful  privi- 
lege to  serve  the  Lord,  and  regarding  3'our  obliga- 
tions to  Him  as  perfect  freedom,  3'ou  do  now,  in 
presence  of  God,  his  hoi}'  angels,  and  this  assembly, 
with    sincerity  of  soul,   avouch  the  Lord  Jehovah, 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  to  be  3'our  God,  the 
object  of  your  supreme  affections,  and  3'Our  portion 
forever  ;  you  cordially  acknowledge  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  in  all  his  mediatorial  offices.  Prophet,  Priest, 
and  King,  as  your  only  Saviour,  and  the  Holy  Spirit, 
as  your  Sanctifier,  Comforter  and  Guide.  You  humbly 
and  cheerfull}'  devote  yourselves  to  God,  in  the  ever- 
lasting covenant  of  His  gTace  ;  3'ou  consecrate  all 
your  powers  and  faculties  to  His  service  and  glory  ; 
and  you  promise  that,  through  the  assistance  of  His 
Spirit,  you  will  cleave  to  him   as  your  chief  good  ; 
that  3'ou  will  give  diligent   attendance  to  His  word 
and  ordinances  ;  that  you  will  seek  the  honor  and 
interest  of  His  kingdom  ;  and  that  henceforth,  den}'- 
ing  all  ungodliness,  and  ever}'  worldly  lust,  you  will 
live   soberl}',  righteousl}'  and  godl}'  in  the   world. 
[You,  who  are  parents,  do  not  onl}'  give  up  yourselves 
to  the  Lord,  but  also  devote  the  children  under  your 
care  to  his  fear  and   service  ;  promising,  b}'  divine 
assistance,  to  bring  them  up  in  the  nurture  and  ad- 
monition of  the  Lord.]     You  likewise  acknowledge 
this  to  be  a  true  church  of  Christ,   and  do  now  cor- 
diall}'  join  3'ourselves  to  it>  as  such,  promising  to  sub- 


24 


mit  to  the  rules  of  government  and  discipline  which 
it  has  adopted,  and  to  strive  earnestly  for  its  peace, 
edification,  and  purit}^  and  to  walk  with  its  members 
in  love,  faithfulness,  circumspection,  meekness  and 
sobriety,  as  long  as  j^ou  live,  unless  your  relation  to 
it  be  regularly  dissolved. 

Thus  3^ou  solemnl}^  covenant  and  promise. 

We,  therefore,  the  members  of  this  church,  [7ie?'e 
the  members  of  the  church  nse,]  affectionally  receive 
you  to  our  communion,  and,  in  the  name  of  Christ, 
declare  3'ou  entitled  to  all  church  privileges,  and 
promise  to  watch  over  3^ou  with  Christian  affection 
and  faithfulness,  according  to  our  covenant  and  rules 
of  discipline.  And  now,  beloved  in  the  Lord,  let  it 
be  impressed  on  3'our  minds,  that  3'ou  have  volun- 
tarily and  unalterabty  committed  3^ ourselves,  and 
that  thenceforth  3'ou  will  be  regarded  as  the  servants 
of  God.  Hereafter,  the  e3'es  of  the  world  will  be 
upon  3^ou,  and  as  3'OU  demean  3^ourselves,  so  religion 
will  be  honored  or  dishonored  ;  if  3'OU  walk  worthily 
of  3^our  profession  3^ou  will  be  a  credit  and  a  comfort 
to  us  ;  but  if  it  be  otherwise,  it  wall  be  an  occasion 
of  grief  and  reproach.  But,  beloved,  we  are  persua- 
ded better  things  of  3'ou,  and  things  which  accom- 
pan3^  salvation,  though  w^e  thus  speak. 

May  the  Lord  guide  and  preserve  3^ou  till  death, 
and  at  last  receive  3^ou  and  us  to  that  blessed  world 
where  our  love  and  joy  shall  be  forever  perfect. 
Amen. 


25 


V. 

DECLARATION  OF  FAITH. 

National  Council.     Boston^  Mass,,  1865. 

Upon  the  suggestion  of  the  Triennial  Convention  of 
the  Chicago  Theological  Seminary,  and  by  the  call  of  a 
Conference  of  Committees  of  the  General  Association 
of  the  several  States,  a  National  Council  of  the  Con- 
gregational Churches  was  held  in  Boston,  June  14- 
23,  1865.  There  were  present  five  hundred  and 
eighteen  delegates,  sixteen  of  whom  were  from  for- 
eign countries.  At  this  Council,  discussion  and  ac- 
tion were  had  on  the  following  topics  :  Evangeliza- 
tion in  the  West  and  South  ;  Church-Building  ;  Edu- 
cation for  the  Ministry  ;  Parochial  Evangelism  ; 
Statement  of  Polity ;  and  Classification  of  Benevo- 
lent Organizations. 

On  the  next  to  the  last  day  of  its  session,  the 
Council  met  on  Burial  Hill,  Plj-mouth,  on  the  spot 
where  the  first  Meeting-House  of  the  Pilgiims  stood, 
and  there  adopted  the  following 

DECLARATION    OF    FAITH. 

Standing  by  the  rock  where  the  Pilgrims  set  foot 
upon  these  shores,  upon  the  spot  where  they  worship- 
ped God,  and  among  the  graves  of  the  early  genera- 
tions, we,  Elders  and  Messenojers  of  the  Cono-reo-a- 
tional  Churches  of  the  United  States,  in  National 
Council  assembled^-^like  them  acknowledscins:  no  rule 


26 


of  faith  but  the  Word  of  God — do  now  declare  our  ad- 
herence to  the  faith  and  order  of  the  Apostolic  and 
Primitive  Churches  held  by  our  fathers,  and  substan- 
tially embodied  in  the  confessions  and  platforms  which 
our  Synods  of  1648  and  1680  set  forth  or  re-afHrmed. 
We  declare  that  the  experience  of  the  nearly  two  and 
a  half  centuries  which  have  elapsed  since  the  me- 
morable day  when  our  sires  founded  here  a  Christian 
commonwealth,  with  all  the  development  of  new 
forms  of  error  since  their  times,  has  onl}^  deepened 
our  confidence  in  the  faith  and  polit}^  of  those  fathers. 
We  bless  God  for  the  inheritance  of  those  doctrines . 
We  invoke  the  help  of  the  Divine  Redeemer,  that, 
through  the  presence  of  the  promised  Comforter,  he 
will  enable  us  to  transmit  them  in  purity  to  our  chil- 
dren. In  the  times  that  are  before  us  as  a  nation, 
times  at  once  of  duty  and  of  danger,  we  rest  all  our 
hope  in  the  gospel  of  the  Son  of  God.  It  was  the 
grand  peculiarity  of  our  Puritan  fathers,  that  they 
held  this  gospel,  not  merely  as  the  ground  of  their 
personal  salvation,  but  as  declaring  the  worth  of 
man  by  the  incarnation  and  sacrifice  of  the  Son  of 
God  ;  and  therefore  applied  its  principles  to  elevate 
society,  to  regulate  education,  to  civilize  humanity^ 
to  purify  law,  to  reform  the  Church  and  the  State, 
to  assert  and  defend  liberty ;  in  short,  to  mould  and 
redeem,  by  its  all-transforming  energy,  every  thing 
that  belongs  to  man  in  his  individual  and  social  re- 
lations. 

It  was  the  faith  of  our  fathers  that  gave  us  this 
free  land  in  which  we  dwell.     It  is  by  this  faith  only 


27 

that  we   can   transmit   to    our  children    a   free   and 
happ3',  because  a  Christian,  commonwealth. 

We  hold  it  to  be  a  distinctive  excellence  of  our 
Congregational  sj'stem,  that  it  exalts  that  which  is 
more  above  that  which  is  less  important ;  and,  by  the 
simplicit}'  of  its  organization,  facilitates,  in  commu- 
nities where  the  population  is  limited,  the  union  of 
all  true  believers  in  one  Christian  Church  ;  and  that 
the  division  of  such  communities  into  several  weak 
and  jealous  societies,  holding  the  same  common  faith, 
is  a  sm  against  the  unity  of  the  bodj^  of  Christ,  and  at 
once  the  shame  and  scandal  of  Christendom. 

We  rejoice,  that,  through  the  influence  of  our  free 
sj'stem  of  Apostolic  order,  we  can  hold  fellowship 
with  all  who  acknowledge  Christ,  and  act  efficiently 
in  the  work  of  restoring  unitj^  to  the  divided  Church, 
and  of  bringing  back  harmom^  and  peace  among  all 
*'  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity." 

Thus  recognizing  the  unitj-  of  the  Church  of  Christ 
in  all  the  world,  and  knowing  that  we  are  but  one 
branch  of  Christ's  people,  while  adhering  to  our  pe- 
culiar faith  and  order,  we  extend  to  all  believers  the 
hand  of  Christian  fellowship,  upon  the  basis  of  those 
great  fundamental  truths  in  which  all  Christians 
should  agree.  With  them  we  confess  our  faith  in 
God ;  in  Jesus  Christ,  the  incarnate  Word,  who  is 
exalted  to  be  our  Redeemer  and  King ;  and  in  the 
Holy  Comforter,  who  is  present  in  the  Church  to  re- 
generate and  sanctify  the  soul. 

With  the  whole  Church  we  confess  the  common 
sinfulness  and  ruin  of  our  race,  and  acknowledge 
that  it  is  only  through  the  work  accomplished  by  the 


28 

life  and  expiatory  death  of  Clirist,  that  T)elieYers  in 
him  are  justified  before  God,  receive  the  remission 
of  sins,  and,  through  the  presence  and  grace  of  the 
Holy  Comforter,  are  delivered  from  the  power  of  sin 
and  perfected  in  holiness. 

We  believe  also  in  an  organized  and  visible  Church, 
in  the  ministry  of  the  Word,  in  the  sacraments  of 
Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper,  in  the  resurrection 
of  the  body,  and  in  the  final  judgment,  the  issues  of 
which  are  eternal  life  and  everlasting  punishment. 

We  receive  these  truths  on  the  testimony  of  God, 
given  through  prophets  and  apostles,  and  in  the  life, 
the  miracles,  the  death,  the  resurrection  of  his  Son, 
our  Divine  Redeemer, — a  testimony  preserved  for  the 
church  in  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments, which  were  composed  by  holy  men  as  they 
were  moved  by  the  II0I3'  Ghost. 

Affirming  now  our  belief  that  those  who  thus  hold 
''  One  Faith,  one  Lord,  one  Baptism,"  together  con- 
stitute the  one  Catholic  Church,  the  several  house- 
holds of  which,  though  called  by  different  names,  are 
the  one  body  of  Christ ;  and  that  these  members  of 
his  body  are  sacredly  bound  to  keep  "  The  unity  of 
the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace,"  we  declare  that  we 
will  co-operate  with  all  who  hold  these  truths.  With 
these  we  will  carry  the  gospel  into  every  part  of  the 
land,  and  with  them  we  will  go  into  all  the  world,  and 
"  Preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature."  May  He  to 
whom  "  all  power  is  given  in  heaven  and  earth"  ful- 
fil the  promise  which  is  all  our  hope  :  "  Lo,  I  am 
with  you  alway,  even  to  the  end  of  the  world."  To 
Bin;  be  praise  in  the  Church  forever.     Amen. 


29 


VI. 
PRINCIPLES  OF  CONGREGATIONALISM.* 

I.  Officers. — Congregational  Churches  have  two 
perpetual  and  regularl^'-elected  classes  of  officers. 
These  are  Bishops  (usually  st3ded  Pastors)  and  Dea- 
cons. Frequently,  however,  Committees  are  ap- 
pointed, either  annually  or  occasionaly,  for  such  pur- 
poses of  mere  business  as  the  exigencies  of  the  case 
may  require. 

The  number  of  Deacons  appointed  by  each  Church 
may  be  two  or  more,  two  being  the  smallest  number 
used. 

The  primitive  Churches  founded  by  the  Apostles 
had  these  same  officers,  and  no  others.  Those  called 
"Elders"  were  the  same  as  "  Bishops."  Compare 
Acts  XX.  17,  28  ;  I  Pet.  v.  1-5  ;  Tit.  i.  5-7. 

II.  Powers  and  Duties  of  Officers. — Congre- 
gational Churches  intrust  no  ecclesiastical  power  to 
their  officers.  In  all  businessmeetingsof  the  Church, 
the  Bishop  or  Pastor  is  ex-officio  moderator.  This 
constitutes  the  only  distinction  or  power  he  possesses 
above  any  other  brother  in  the  Church. 

Thus  Neander  remarks,  in  his  "  Church  History," 
vol.  1.,  p.  189:— 


*From  "  The  Congi-egational  Manual,"  by  J.  E.  Roy, 
D.  D.,  Cong.  Pub.  Soc,  Boston. 


30 

"  As  regards  the  relation  in  which  these  Presbyters  (El- 
ders or  Pastors)  stood  to  the  communities,  they  were  not 
designed  to  exercise  absolute  authority,  but  to  act  as  pre- 
siding officers  and  guides  of  an  ecclesiastical  republic;  to 
conduct  all  things  with  the  co-operation  of  the  communi- 
ties, as  their  ministers,  and  not  as  their  masters." 

The  duties  of  Deacons  in  our  Cono-reo-ational 
Churches  are  quite  limited.  The}'  assist  in  adminis- 
tering the  Lord's  Supper,  bj  distributing  the  ele- 
ments to  the  communicants  ;  to  conduct  the  religious 
meetings  in  the  absence  of  the  pastor  or  other  minis- 
ter, and  to  attend  to  the  wants  of  the  poor. 

III.  Power  of  the  Church. — It  is  a  fundamental 
principle  of  Congregationalism,  that  all  ecclesiastical 
2wwer  resides  in  the  Churchy  or  the  associated  bod}'  of 
the  brethren,  and  not  in  the  officers  of  the  Church, 
nor  in  the  ecclesiastical  bodies  distinct  from  or  above 
the  Church.  The  power  exercised  b}^  the  Church  is 
purely  ecclesiastical^  without  touching  in  the  slightest 
degree  the  temporal  or  civil  rights  of  its  members,  or 
of  any  other  person.  The  principal  powers  exercised 
by  the  Church  ma}'  be  classified  as  follows  : — 

1.  The  power  of  electing  its  own  officers. — The 
Bishop  (or  Pastor)  and  Deacons  are  elected  by  a 
majority  of  the  Church.  In  exercising  this  power, 
it  is  considered  obligatory  on  the  members  to  exer- 
cise mutual  forbearance  in  case  of  any  difference  of 
opinion  ;  that  a  majorit}'  should  give  great  weight  to 
the  opposing  wishes  of  a  minorit}' ;  and  that  a  mi- 
norit}"  should  be  willing  to  surrender  their  own  predi- 
lections in  deference  to  a  majority.  Thus  ma}^  har- 
mony be  secured. 


31 


2.  The  poioer  of  admitting  or  exchiding  its  own 
members. — Persons  are  admitted  to  the  Church  by  a 
A'ote  of  the  brethren  ;  miworth}^  members  are  also  ex- 
cluded b}^  the  same  power. 

3.  The  power  of  forming  its  own  Creed. — Congre- 
gational Churches  have  no  denominational  Creed  ; 
that  is,  no  Creed  received  as  authoritative  by  all  the 
Pastors  and  Churches,  or  imposed  on  them  by  any 
ecclesiastical  authority.  It  is  true  that  they  all  re- 
ceive, unhesitatingly,  the  fundamental  or  evangelical 
doctrines.  Still,  each  Church  constructs  its  own 
Creed,  and  alters  it  whenever  inclined.  It  is  worthy 
of  notice,  as  showing  the  unity  of  the  teaching  of 
the  Spirit,  and  the  safety  of  trusting  the  local 
Churches,  that  although  hundreds,  and  perhaps  thou- 
sands, of  Creeds  have  been  constructed  by  our 
Churches,  and  the  phraseology  used  is  endlessly  va- 
ried, yet  there  is  the  most  wonderful  harmony  and 
even  identity  of  doctrine  among  them  all,  on  the  es- 
sential truths  of  religion. 

4.  The  power  of  regulating  the  details  of  its  own 
worship  and  modes  of  procedure  in  executing  the 
pirevious  poicers. — The  mode  in  which  public  wor- 
ship shall  be  performed,  the  seasons  for  communion, 
the  mode  of  receiving  or  disciplining  its  own  mem- 
bers ;  special  seasons  of  fasting  and  religious  wor- 
ship, are  all  i^egulated  by  vote  of  the  Church. 

5.  The  poicer  of  independency. — That  is,  each 
Church  has  these  powers,  in  and  of  itself,  which  it 
may  exercise  without  responsibility  to  anj-  ecclesias- 
tical authority  above  itself.     Its  votes  on  all  these 


32 


points  are  decisive  and  final.  No  ecclesiastical  power 
can  impose  on  an}'  Church  a  religious  teacher  or  other 
officer,  or  admit  or  exclude  members,  or  form  their 
creed,  or  regulate  their  modes  of  proceeding.  Each 
Church  has  the  exclusive  right  of  managing  its  o^n 
concerns.  At  the  same  time,  Congregational  Churches 
live  in  close  fraternal  union,  are  associated  together 
in  bodies,  and  often  ask  and  receive  advice  and  help 
from  each  other ;  but  all  this  is  the  result  of  mutual 
confidence  and  affection,  not  of  any  superior  power. 
These  principles,  also,  are  in  accordance  with  the 
scriptural  model ;  for  it  is  certain  that  no  text  can 
be  produced  in  which  God  assigns  power  over  the 
Churches  to  an}^  individual  or  set  of  individuals.  It 
is  to  be  taken  for  granted,  therefore,  that  no  such 
power  exists.  The  New  Testament  speaks  of  no  or- 
ganization above  the  local  church.  It  alwa^^s  uses 
the  word  "  Church"  to  mean  either  the  general  com- 
pany of  the  redeemed,  or  the  congregation  of  pro- 
fessed believers  in  a  particular  place.  The  word 
never  occurs  in  the  sense  of  an  external,  centralized 
organization,  embracing  and  ruling  a  multitude  of 
congregations. 

Congregationalism  is  true  republicanism.  Each 
Congregational  Church  and  Society  elects  its  own 
officers,  owns  its  own  house  and  property,  judges  of 
the  qualifications  of  its  own  members,  allows  to  each 
brother  an  equal  vote,  and  has  no  superior,  lord,  or 
overseer.  Congregational  Churches,  then,  are  truly 
apostolic  and  primitive,  in  assigning  all  ecclesiasti- 
cal power  to  the  Church,  and  not  to  the  officers  of 
the  Church. 


33 

It  is  worthy  of  remark,  also,  that  tlie  priiicii)les  on 
which  Congregational  Churches  are  organized,  being 
thus  purely  republican,  are  in  entire  harmon}-  with  the 
principles  of  our  civil  government,  and  had  much  to  do 
with  its  origin.  The  people  of  the  United  States  are, 
under  God,  the  source  of  civil  power  ;  appoint  their 
own  magistrates  and  rulers,  who  are  usually  elected 
for  a  brief  term  of  office,  so  that  every  few  3^ears 
fresh  power  may  be  derived  from  the  people,  and 
thus,  in  effect,  construct  their  own  laws.  If  the  in- 
terests and  relations  of  the  State  were  as  few  and 
simple  as  those  of  the  Church,  independent  town  or 
city  organizations  would  be  all  that  civil  governments 
would  need ;  and  even  now  a  large  part  of  public 
business  is  left  to  their  sole  management.  To  the 
influence  of  this  feature  of  Congregationalism,  his- 
tory gives  the  most  gratif3ing  testimonv.  Even 
Hume  declares,  "  that  to  this  sect  [Puritans]  the 
English  owe  the  whole  freedom  of  their  Constitution." 
Lord  Brougham  says  of  them,  "  A  bod}^  of  men  may 
be  held  in  everlasting  remembrance  for  the  unshaken 
fortitude  with  which  at  all  times  the}'  have  main- 
tained their  attachment  to  civil  liberty ;  men  to 
whose  ancestors  England  will  ever  acknowledge  a 
boundless  debt  of  gi'atitude  as  long  as  freedom  is 
prized  among  us."  In  our  own  countr}'  the  ecclesiasti- 
cal principles  and  practices  of  the  Puritan  settlers  of 
New  England  are  known  to  have  shaped  their  politi- 
cal institutions,  and  these  in  time  moulded  our  na- 
tional Constitution.  De  Tocqueville  traces  our  whole 
form  of  government  back  to  the  New  England  town- 
meeting,  which  was  the  mere  cop}'  of  the  Church 


34 


meeting.  Thomas  Jefferson,  who  had  so  much  to  do 
with  the  forming  of  our  institutions,  attended  occa- 
sionally the  meetings  of  a  Church  near  his  residence 
that  was  conducted  on  Congregational  principles,  and 
remarked,  that  he  had  been  much  interested  in  that 
form  of  government ;  that  it  was  the  only  form  of 
pure  democracy  in  the  world  ;  and  that  he  thought 
it  would  be  the  best  plan  of  government  for  the 
American  colonies.  (See  "  Encj^clopsedia  of  Relig- 
ious Knowledge,"  article,    "  Congregationalists.") 

IV.  Ecclesiastical  Bodies.  Although  the  Scrip- 
tures give  to  no  men,  or  set  of  men,  power  over  the 
Churches,  yet  they  allow  them  to  associate  to- 
gether for  practical  religious  purposes,  which  may 
seem  desirable,  but  which  do  not  conflict  with  their 
independence. 

Associations  are  composed  of  Pastors  or  of  Pas- 
tors and  delegates.  They  meet  for  pr:iyer  and  mu- 
tual counsel ;  they  examine  and  approbate  those 
who  may  wish  to  enter  the  ministry  ;  and  they  make 
useful  suggestions  to  the  Churches. 

The  General  Association  or  Conference  of  each 
State  is  usually  composed  of  Delegates  from  the 
smaller  Associations  or  Conferences  but  in  Rhode 
Island  embraces  all  the  Pastors  and  a  delegate  from 
each  Church.  This  body  meets  annually  ;  hears  re- 
ports on  the  state  of  religion  ;  and  offers  advice  to 
the  Churches  on  matters  connected  with  the  concerns 
of  benevolence,  sound  doctrine,  and  religious  duty. 
But  it  is  to  be  particularly  noted,  that  these  bodies 
possess  no  ecclesiastical  power .^  like  the  superior  ju- 


35 


dicatories  or  higher  bodies  of  the  Romish  Church, 
and  of  some  Protestant  denominfitions.  They  are 
simpl}^  advisory.  The  Churches,  if  they  choose,  may 
manage  their  own  concerns,  without  reference  to 
them.  Still,  so  much  confidence  is  reposed  b}^  the 
Churches  in  the  character,  education,  and  piet}'  of 
their  brethren,  that  great  weight  is  voluntarily  and 
cheerfull}'  given  to  their  opinions,  and  great  assist- 
ance is  derived  from  their  counsels. 

V.  Ecclesiastical  Councils. — When  matters  of 
peculiar  importance  or  difficulty  come  before  a 
Church,  it  avails  itself  of  the  advice  of  other  Churches. 
Thus,  when  a  pastor  is  to  be  installed,  the  Church 
sends  to  a  number  of  the  neighboring  Churches  an 
invitation,  called  a  "letter  missive,"  to  be  present  at 
a  certain  time,  hy  their  pastor  and  delegate,  to  form 
an  Ecclesiastical  Council,  to  examine  the  proposed 
Pastor,  and  to  act  in  behalf  of  the  Church  in  the  ex- 
ercises of  installation,  if  they  see  no  valid  objection. 
And  so,  when  a  pastor  is  dismissed,  the  Church  calls 
a  council  to  advise  and  act  for  it  in  the  emergency, 
and  to  give  the  minister  a  parting  letter  of  recom- 
mendation. 

If  a  member  who  has  been  disciplined  thinks  that 
injustice  has  been  done,  and  particularl}-  if  the  vote 
of  the  Church  was  divided,  it  is  usual  to  call  a  mu- 
tual council,  chosen  half  b}'  each  party,  to  revise  the 
case,  and  to  give  their  opinion  or  advice  to  the 
Church.  In  this  advice  both  parties  generally  con- 
cur, though  the  Church  is  not  compelled  to  follow  it 
when  adverse  to  its  own  judgment.     If  the  Chmxh 


36 


should  not  concur  in  the  result,  a  copy  of  the  opinion 
of  the  council  would  be  a  sufficient  letter  of  recom- 
mendation for  the  aggrieved  person  with  which  to 
unite  with  another  Church.  If  the  Church  refuse  to 
unite  with  the  complainant  in  calling  a  mutual  coun- 
cil, he  may  summon  an  ex  parte  council  of  such 
Churches  as  he  may  please  ;  and  if  that  council  jus- 
tify him,  he  may  use  their  results  as  a  letter  of  recom- 
mendation in  applying  to  another  Church. 

No  council  is  duly  organized  except  a  majoritj^  of 
churches  invited  are  present  by  representation,  nor 
can  act  on  any  matter  not  mentioned  in.  the  letter 
missive,  nor  remain  in  existence  after  adjournment 
at  the  close  of  that  business  ;  neither  has  it  power  to 
add  to  or  diminish  its  number,  directly  or  indirectly. 
There  is  a  manifest  impropriety  in  inviting  others 
even  to  sit  as  corresponding  members.  A  board  of 
arbitrators  have  nothing  to  do  with  corresponding 
members.     The  idea  is  absurd. 

VI.  Conditions  of  Admission  to  the  Church. — 
Credible  evidence  of  piety  is  a  necessary  pre-requisite 
to  communion  and  Church  membership.  It  is  b}^  no 
means  maintained,  that  entire  assurance  of  salvation 
should  be  required,  or  perfect  agreement  in  the  details 
of  doctrine.  But  as  the  Church  was  designed  to  em- 
brace only  true  Christians,  it  follows,  of  course,  that 
credible  evidence  of  being  a  Christian,  including  be- 
lief of  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  the  Bible,  should 
be  the  condition  of  membership. 

The  term  Congregational  was  applied  to  our 
Churches  from  the  fact,  that  all  ecclesiastical  power 


37 

resides  in  the  congregated  body,  or  members  of  the 
Church,  that  is,  in  the  congregation  or  brotherhood 
and  7iot  in  the  officers.  This  distinguishes  us  from 
some  other  denominations,  who  give  over  the  powers 
of  the  Church  to  the  officers  of  the  Church. 

VII.  Intercourse  with  other  Denominations. 
— Congregationalism,  desiring  to  be  free  from  sec- 
tarianism, insists  upon  no  denominational  peculiari- 
ties as  the  condition  of  fellowship.  This  principle  is 
carried  out  in  our  intercourse  with  other  denomina- 
tions. At  their  seasons  of  communion,  Cono:reo:a- 
tional  Churches  invite  those  present  who  are  mem- 
bers, in  regular  standing,  of  a7iy  Evangelical  Church, 
and  who  are  honoring  their  profession  by  a  godl}^ 
life,  to  sit  down  with  them  at  the  Table  of  the  Lord. 
If  an}'  of  their  members  wish  to  unite  with  Churches 
of  other  evangelical  denominations,  letters  are  given 
to  such  Churches  ;  or  if  aiw  come  from  other  Evan- 
gelical denominations,  and  there  be  no  evidence 
against  their  Christian  character,  they  are  received 
as  from  sister  Churches.  Though  preferring,  on 
Scripture  grounds  as  they  think,  the  organization 
and  principles  of  their  own  Churches,  Congregation- 
alists  still  recognize  with  fraternal  fellowship,  as  true 
Churches  of  Christ,  "  all  those  who  love  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity."  B}^  this  course  they  think 
that  the}'  act  in  accordance  with  those  injunctions 
to  charit}',  unity  and  peace,  which  are  so  numerous 
in  the  apostolic  writings. 
4 


38 


VII. 
RULES  FOR  BUSINESS    MEETINGS.* 

When  the  appomted  thne  for  the  meeting  arrives, 
the  Pastor,  as  Moderator,  shall  call  the  Church  to  or- 
der. If  there  is  no  Pastor,  or  if  he  be  absent,  then 
the  senior  Deacon,  or  some  older  member,  will  call 
to  order,  and  call  for  the  choice  of  a  Moderator.  On 
taking-  the  chair,  and  opening  the  meeting  with  prayer, 
the  Moderator,  if  the  Clerk  of  the  Church  is  not 
present,  will  call  for  the  appointment  of  a  clerk  pro 
tern. 

If  the  meeting  be  adjourned  to  another  day,  the 
same  officers  preside  again,  for  an  adjournment  is 
but  a  continuance  of  the  same  meeting. 

All  the  decisions  of  the  presiding  officers  are  sub- 
ject to  revision  by  the  Church. 

Everj^  motion  must  be  made  in  writing,  if  required 
by  any  member  ;  and,  when  seconded,  must  be  read 
by  the  Moderator,  and  submitted  to  the  considera- 
tion of  the  Church.  Until  this  motion  is  disposed 
of,  all  subsequent  propositions  must  be  made  by  way 
of  amendment  to  it.  An  amendment  ma}"  go  to  the 
exclusion,  addition,  or  substitution  of  words  or  sen- 
tences ;  indeed,  a  motion  to  amend  b}'  striking  out 
all  the  words  after  the  word  resolved^   and  substitut- 

*From  "The  Congi-egational  Manual/'  by  J.  E.  Roy, 
D.  D.,  Cong.  Pub.  Soc,  Boston. 


39 

ing  an  entireW  new  proposition  upon  the  same  sub 
ject  is  in  order.     Until  some  vote  has  been  taken  on 
a  resolution  or  an  amendment  to  it,  it  may  be  with- 
drawn by  the  mover. 

There  are  certain  motions  which  are  termed  '^  privi- 
leged," which  may  be  made  at  any  time ;  such  are 
the  motions  to  postpone  indefinitely,  to  refer  to 
committee,  to  lay  on  the  table,  (which  means  to  lay 
aside  for  the  present,)  to  postpone  to  a  future  time 
fixed,  and  to  adjourn.  All  these  motions  may  be  de- 
bated except  the  last.  When  a  member  is  speak- 
ing, no  motion  can  be  made  but  with  his  consent. 

When  any  motion  is  before  the  Chm-ch,  every  mem- 
ber has  a  right  to  express  his  views  concerning  it ; 
and,  while  doing  so,  the  Moderator  is  bound  to  con- 
fine him  in  his  remarks  to  the  point  under  considera- 
tion, and  also  to  protect  him  against  all  interrup- 
tion, except  to  call  him  to  order  if  he  violate  the 
rules  of  courtesy  or  of  debate  ;  but,  after  the  matter 
of  order  is  adjusted,  he  has  a  right  to  go  on  to  the 
end  of  his  remarks. 

The  proposition  last  made  is  always  the  proposi- 
tion under  consideration,  and  the  first  to  be  voted 
on ;  so  that  when  several  amendments  or  proposi- 
tions are  before  the  meeting,  the  order  in  which  they 
are  to  be  voted  upon  is  \isually  the  reverse  of  the 
order  in  which  they  were  made.  If  several  sums  are 
proposed,  the  largest  is  the  first  put  to  vote ;  if 
several  times,  the  longest;  and  as  to  the  numbers 
generally,  the  largest. 

When  a  motion  is  put  to  vote,  it  should  be  fii'st 


40 


clearl}^  stated  from  the  Chair,  so  that  there  may  be 
no  possible  mismiderstanding  about  it.  Then  the 
Moderator  sa3"s,  "  As  many  as  are  in  favor  of  this 
resolution  will  please  to  say  A3^e,"  or  "  lift  up  their 
hands,"  or  "  rise,"  as  the  custom  of  the  Church  may 
be  ;  then,  "  As  man}^  as  are  against  this  resolution," 
or  "  as  are  of  a  different  opinion,  will  please  to  say 
No,"  or  "  lift  up  their  hands,"  or  "  rise."  Then  the 
Moderator  declares  the  result  by  saying,  ''It?  is  a 
vote,"  or  "  It  is  not  a  vote."  If  an}^  member  thinks 
the  Moderator  in  error,  or  that  an  accurate  count 
would  change  the  result,  he  has  a  right  to  demand  it 
immediately  ;  in  which  case  the  question  must  be  put 
again,  and  the  vote  carefully  counted.  After  the 
question  is  put  to  vote,  there  can  be  no  debate,  and 
no  new  proposition  made  until  the  vote  is  finished. 
After  the  vote  is  taken,  any  member  who  voted  in 
the  majority  may,  during  the  same  meeting,  move  a 
reconsideration ;  which  motion  opens  the  subject 
again  for  debate ;  and,  if  the  vote  to  reconsider  is 
adopted,  the  whole  matter  stands  just  as  it  did  before 
the  reconsidered  vote  was  taken. 

Questions  of  order  are  to  be  decided  by  the  Mod- 
erator ;  but,  if  any  member  thinks  the  decision 
incorrect,  he  can  appeal  to  the  meeting ;  and  the 
decision  on  that  appeal  will  be  final. 

When  the  report  of  a  committee  is  presented,  it 
will,  of  course,  be  put  on  file.  A  vote  to  accept  and 
adopt  is  an  expression  of  concurrence  with  the  views 
of  the  committee. 


41 

"When  a  member  has  a  motion  to  make,  or  wishes 
to  speak  on  a  pending  motion,  he  must  rise  and 
address  himself  respectfully  to  the  Moderator. 

A  member  who  has  a  motion  to  make  ma}'  preface 
it  with  such  remarks  as  explain  his  design  ;  but, 
with  this  exception,  speaking  is  out  of  order,  unless 
some  definite  proposition  has  been  submitted,  and 
is  under  consideration. 


42 


VIII. 
BY-LAWS. 

Adopted  1869,  3fay  14. 

I.  Officers. 

The  officers  of  this  Church  shall  be  a  Pastor,  Dea- 
cons, a  Clerk,  a  Treasurer,  and  a  Superintendent  of 
the  Sabbath  School,  the  latter  to  be  nominated  by 
the  teachers  of  the  Sabbath  School  for  confirmation 
at  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Church.  These  officers, 
together  with  such  other  members  as  shall  be  annually 
chosen  by  the  Church,  shall  constitute  the  Standing 
Committee.  This  Committee  shall  be  charged  with 
the  examination  of  all  applicants  for  admission  to 
the  Church,  with  the  care  of  all  funds  entrusted  to 
the  Church  (unless  otherwise  provided  in  the  terms 
of  bequest)  and  with  such  other  duties  as  accord 
with  Congregational  usage. 

All  officers,  excepting  Pastor  and  Deacons,  shall 
be  chosen  annually^  but  the  Pastor  ma}^  actjis  Clerk 
by  vote  of  the  Church. 

The  election  of  all  officers  shall  be  by  ballot, 
excepting  that  by  unanimous  consent  of  the  memJoers 
present,  the^^  maj^  be  chosen  by  nomination  and  hand 
vote. 

II.  Annual  Meeting. 

The  annual  meeting  of  the  Church  for  choosing 
officers,    reading   the  records  of  the   year,   hearing 


43 


reports  of  the  Treasurer,  Superintendent  of  the  Sab- 
bath School,  etc.,  shall  be  held  on  the  third  day  of 
Ma}^,  or,  when  this  day  falls  on  Sunda}',  on  the 
Mouda}'  following. 

III.  Special  Meetings. 

The  Standing  Committee  ma}^,  at  their  discretion 
call  special  meetings  of  the  Church  by  a  notice  from 
the  pulpit,  and,  at  the  written  request  of  two  mem- 
bers, shall  do  so. 

IV.  Ordinary  Business. 

Ordinary  business,  such  as  voting  upon  letters 
missive,  dismissing  members  by  letter,  and  the  like, 
may  be  done  at  any  regular  meeting  of  the  Church 
for  worship  or  devotion,  but  all  special  or  important 
business,  if  not  done  at  the  annual  meeting  shall 
require  at  least  two  days  notice  from  the  pulpit. 

V.  Decision  by  Majority  Vote,  etc. 

All  questions  which  come  before  the  Church  shall, 
after  deliberate  discussion,  be  decided  by  the  majority 
of  all  members  over  eighteen  years  of  age  present 
and  voting  ;  provided,  that  no  change  shall  be  made 
in  the  Articles  of  Faith,  the  Covenant,  or  the  By- 
Laws,  except  by  a  two-thirds  vote,  notice  of  the 
proposed  alteration  having  been  read  to  the  Church 
at  least  thi'ee  weeks  previously. 

VI.  Quorum. 

Fifteen  members  qualified  to  vote  shall  constitute 
a  quorum,  but  a  less  number  may  adjourn. 

VII.  Admission  and  Dismission  of  Members. 
The  names  of  all  candidates  for  membership  shall 


44 


be  presented  to  the  Church  at  least  one  Sabbath  before 
the  question  is  taken  on  their  admission. 

Members  of  this  Church  removing  from  this  place 
shall  apply  for  dismission  within  one  3^ear  after  their 
removal  or  render  the  Church  sufficient  reason  for 
longer  delay  ;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Clerk 
to  report  at  the  annual  meeting  the  names  of  all  such 
absent  members,  with  such  information  respecting 
them  as  the  spirit  of  this  rule  may  require. 

"Members  of  other  Churches  who  ma}^  wish  to  com- 
mune with  this  Church  more  than  one  year,  are 
expected  to  remove  their  connection  to  us,  unless 
they  give  satisfactory  reason  for  not  doing  so,  to  the 
Pastor  or  Deacons. 

VIII.  The  Lord's  Supper. 

The  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  shall  be 
administered  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  January,  March, 
May,  July,  September,  and  November. 


Piinual  4  the  JJiiist  Churdt,  Bristol,  %  |. 


HISTORY. 


Built  upon  the  foundation  of  the  Apostles  and  Prophets, 

Jesus  Christ  himself  being  the  chief  corner 

stonc—Epn.  II.  20. 


PIISTOKY. 


I. 

THE  FOUNDATIONS  LAID,— 1620-1091. 

PRELIMINARY    SURVET    OF    THE    GROrXD. 

"When  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  landed  at  Plymouth,  in 
1620,  Massasoit,  at  the  head  of  the  powerful  tribe 
of  Wamjxinoags  or  PoTxCinokets  was  the  principal 
Sachem  of  the  territory  between  Narragansett  and 
Massachusetts  Baj's,  having  his  chief  seat  at  Soicams 
or  Sowamset,  now  Warren,  R.  I. 

He  earl}'  manifested  a  friendl}^  spirit  toward  the 
English,  and,  in  the  spring  of  1621,  made  a  treaty 
of  peace  with  Goyernor  Caryer,  which  was  main- 
tained without  serious  difficult}'  until  his  death  in 
1661. 

He  was  succeeded  b}'  his  eldest  son,  Alexander. 
A  rumor  soon  after  obtained  credence  that  Alexan- 
der was  not  disposed  to  follow  in  the  good  wa}'  ol 
his  father,  but  was  plotting  with  the  Narragansetts 
against  the  English.  He  was  promptl}'  summoned 
to  the  court  at  Pl3'mouth,  where  he  stoutlj'  main- 
tained that  the  rumor  was  false.  Having  pledged 
fidelit}-  he  was  suffered  to  depart  in  peace,  and  not 
long  after  died. 


48 


Philip,  the  youngest  son  of  Massasoit,  succeeded 
his  brother  Alexander,  having  his  chief  seat  at 
Mount  Hope^  a  beautiful  elevation  on  the  east  side 
of  the  peninsula,  now  included  within  the  limits  of 
Bristol,  R.  I.  Among  his  first  acts,  he  renewed  the 
ancient  treat}^  of  his  father  w^ith  the  Colonists,  and  five 
years  passed  awa}^  before  aii}^  suspicion  of  treachery 
was  entertained,  when  there  was  a  vague  charge  that 
he  was  willing  to  plot  with  the  French  or  Dutch 
against  the  English.  This  he  denounced  as  a  calumny. 
After  nearly  four  ^^ears  more,  another  rumor  of 
treacher}'  awakened  solicitude  at  both  Pl^-mouth  and 
Boston.  Upon  investigation,  proofs  of  bad  faith 
were  discovered,  but  conference  with  the  authorities 
issued  in  renewed  engagements  of  fealt3\  Three 
years  later,  Sassamon,  a  "  prating  Indian,"  informed 
the  Governor  of  Ph^mouth,  that  Philip  was  trying  to 
excite  other  Sachems  to  war  against  the  English.  On 
hearing  of  this,  Philip  protested  that  it  was  not  so, 
but  the  government  did  not  believe  him.  A  few  days 
after,  Sassamon  was  missing,  and  it  was  soon  dis- 
covered that  he  was  murdered  at  the  instigation  of 
Philip.  Concealment  of  his  treacheiy  being  no 
longer  possible,  Philip  openly  engaged  in  war,  and, 
having  enlisted  the  cooperation  of  other  tribes, 
lighted  the  flame  in  various  parts  of  the  country 
which  burned  so  deeply  that  it  proved  to  be  the  most 
terrific  of  all  those  early  conflicts  with  the  Indians 
into  which  the  Colonists  were  drawn.  The  first 
English  blood  was  shed  on  or  about  the  twenty-fourth 
of  June,  1675,  and  peace  was  secured  under  the  well- 


49 


directed  energy  of  the  Hon.  Benjamin  Church,  in 
command  of  the  Colonial  forces,  b}'  the  death  of 
Philip,  who  was  killed  near  Mount  Hope  the  twelfth 
of  August,  1676,  and  by  the  surprise  and  capture,  a 
few  days  later,  of  Annawon,  Philip's  chief  warrior. 
The  territory  over  which  Philip  had  presided  came 
into  the  possession  of  Pl3'mouth  Colony  by  right  of 
conquest. 

When  the  war  thus  brought  to  a  close  broke  out  in 
1675,  Plymouth  had  been  settled  fifty-four  3'ears,  and 
the  entire  population  of  New  England,  excluding 
Indians,  was  about  eighty  thousand.  In  what  is  now 
the  State  of  Maine,  there  were  thirteen  towns  and  plan- 
tations, and  one  organized  Congregational  Church. 
In  New  Hampshire,  four  towns  and  three  churches. 
Vermont  had  not  been  settled.  Massachusetts  had 
sixty-four  towns  and  fift^'-seven  churches.  Connecti- 
cut had  twent^^-three  towns  and  twenty-one  churches  ; 
and  Rhode  Island  had  six  towns,  viz. :  Providence, 
Newport,  Portsmouth,  Warwick,  Westerly  and  New 
Shoreham,  but  no  organized  Congregational  Church. 
The  various  tribes  of  Indians  had  been  greatl}' 
reduced  in  numbers  b}^  wars  among  themselves  and 
with  the  Colonists  and  bj^  the  inroads  of  disease,  and 
in  all  did  not  exceed  eleven  thousand,  of  whom  about 
four  thousand  were  "  Prating  Indians,"  who  had 
been  won  to  some  comprehension  and  practice  of 
Christianity. 

"  Along  a  line  of  rugged  coast,  from  the  Penobscot  to  the 
Hudson,  were  scattered  settlements  of  Englishmen  at  un- 
equal distances  from  each  other, — closely  grouped  together 
5 


50 


about  midway  of  that  line,  farther  apart  at  the  extremi- 
ties. Ahuost  all  of  them  were  reached  by  tide  water.  A 
very  few  were  planted  in  detached  spots  in  the  interior ; 
the  most  distant  of  these  being  about  a  hundred  miles  from 
the  sea,  whether  measured  from  the  east  or  from  the  south. 
In  the  three  associated  Colonies  there  was  great  similarity 
in  the  ordinary  occupations  and  pursuits.  The  adults  of 
both  sexes  worked  hard ;  the  children  went  to  school.  The 
greater  part  of  tiie  men  got  a  living  by  farm  labor,  provid- 
ing bread  and  meat,  milk,  butter  and  cheese  for  their  own 
tables,  and  raising  stock  to  sell  in  the  West  Indies  for 
money  with  which  to  buy  foreign  commodities.  But  they 
were  not  all  farmers.  A  portion  were  lumberers  plying 
the  axe  through  the  winter  in  the  thick  pine  forests,  and, 
at  the  return  of  Spring,  floating  down  their  rafts  to  a  sure 
and  profitable  market.  Another  portion  were  fishermen, 
familiar  with  the  haunts  of  the  cod,  the  mackerel  and  the 
whale,  and  with  all  perils  of  the  sea.  In  the  princii^al 
towns,  various  classes  of  artisans  pursued  a  lucrative  trade. 
The  country  furnished  some  staples  for  an  advantageous 
foreign  commerce;  and  especially  in  Boston  not  a  lew 
merchants  had  grown  rich." — Dr.  Palfrey's  Hist.  N.  E.y 
m.  132,  134. 

SETTLEMENT    OF    THE    TOWN    OF    BRISTOL. 

The  treaties  of  the  Indian  Chiefs  Massasoit, 
Alexander  and  Philip,  with  the  Pl3'mouth  Colon^^, 
secured  to  them  their  rights  to  the  land,  unless  parted 
with  by  honorable  purchase,  but  recognized  the  juris- 
diction of  the  Colony  under  the  English  Crown  over 
the  entire  territoiy.  In  1669,  the  Plymouth  Court 
granted  one  hundred  acres  within  the  present  limits 
of  Bristol,  to  Mr.  John  Gorham,  "  if  it  can  be  pur- 
chased of  the  Indians  ;"  and  the  remainder  to  the 


51 


town  of  Swanze}^,  "  for  the  promoting  of  a  way  of 
trade  in  this  CoUonie."  On  the  first  of  Jul}',  1672, 
Mr.  Constant  Southworth,  Mr.  James  Brown,  and 
Mr.  John  Gorham  were  appointed  by  the  Court  "  to 
purchase  a  certain  p'cell  of  land  of  the  Indians 
granted  b}'  the  Court  to  the  said  John  Gorum  lying 
att  Pappasquash  Neck."*  After  the  close  of  Philip's 
war  on  the  thirteenth  of  Juh',  1677,  the  Court 
*'  rattified,  established  and  confirmed  the  aforesaid 
one  hundred  acres  of  land  to  John  Gorum's  heirs 
and  successors  forever."  This  land  was  north  of  the 
town  Cemeter}',  between  the  Neck  road  and  the  Ba}', 
and  remained  in  the  Gorham  name  and  famil}*  for 
several  generations  down  to  a  quite  recent  date. 

In  1680,  The  Plj-mouth  Colony  granted  to  John 
Walle}',  Nathaniel  Oliver,   Nathaniel  Byfield,    and 


*  Pappasquash,  Poppasquash,  Pappoosqtiaics,  Pappasqtia. 
This  name,  so  vaiionsly  spelled,  has,  according  to  Dr. 
Trumbull,  two  plausible  derivations;  one,  from papasqu, 
meaning  "double"  or  "  opposite  to,"  applicable  to  the 
southern  end  of  Bristol,  divided  by  the  harbor;  the  other, 
from. paupocksu,  meaning  "partridge."  applicable  to  this 
place  as  having  been  a  good  hunting  ground  for  partridges. 
Another  derivation  is  fiom  Pappooseand  Squaws,  from  the 
fact  that  in  the  early  Indian  wars  the  Poka?iokcls  sent  their 
children  and  wives  to  this  Neck  as  a  place  of  safety.  This 
last  derivation  seems  to  be  now  generally  accepted,  al- 
though it  is  mere  speculation,  there  being  no  historical 
data  to  estalilish  it.  The  name  was  at  first  used  to  desig- 
nate all  of  the  western  part  of  what  is  now  Bristol,  includ- 
ing both  the  beautiful  peninsula  to  Avhich  it  is  now  applied 
and  the  land  north,  Jis  far  as  the  Warren  river. 


52 


Stephen  Burton,  four  merchants  of  Boston,  for 
£1100,  all  that  portion  of  territory  not  previously  sold, 
which  is  now  included  in  the  town  of  Bristol.  The 
whole  of  Plymouth  Colony  was  then  settled,  except 
this  territor}^,  which  was  the  last  spot  left  uncovered 
in  the  western  march  of  Engiish  population.  Mr. 
Oliver  sold  his  share  of  this  purchase  to  Nathan  Ha}^- 
man,  another  merchant  of  Boston. 

These  gentlemen  obtained  from  the  Colony  special 
privileges,  and  made  liberal  provisions  for  the  settle- 
ment of  the  town.     Among  the  former  were  exemp- 
tion from  all  Colony  taxes   for   the   term   of  seven 
years ;  the  privilege  of  sending  Deputies    at   once, 
as  other  towns,   according  to  the  number    of  free- 
men ;     a  Commissioner's   Court   to   try    and  deter- 
mine all  actions  and  causes  under  ten  pounds,  with 
liberty  to  appeal  to  the   Court  of  Plymouth  ;  also, 
when    sixty   families  were    settled,    a   new    County 
should  be  organized,  and  this   town  should  be   the 
County  or  Shire  town.     Among  the  latter  were  the 
laying  out  of  broad  and  regular  streets,  with  building 
lots   of  convenient    size  on  them ;  the  donation  of 
lands  for  the  support  of  the  Ministr}^  and  Schools  ; 
the  reservation  of  a  large  and  beautiful  Common  in 
the  central  part  of  the  town ;  and  the  donation  of 
six  hundred  acres  for  the  Common  improvement  of 
the  settlers,  and  designated  as  ''  The  Commonage." 
The  proprietors  retained  for  themselves,  each,  one- 
eighth  part  of  the  original  purchase,   and,  with  the 
above  donations,  put  the  balance  into  the  market  for 
sale  at  reasonable  prices.     The  liberal  inducements 
offered  soon  drew  a   number  of  families  here,  chiefly 


53 


from  Boston,  where  the  proprietors  resided,  and  from 
Plymouth  Colom'.  The  proprietors,  themselves, 
also  settled  here  with  their  families,  and  closeh'  iden- 
tified themselves  with  all  the  interests  of  the  town. 
On  the  first  of  September,  1G81,  the  people  assembled 
togrether  and  asrreed  "  the  name  of  this  town  shall 
be  Bristol."* 


*The  following  names  appear  on  the  Town  Records,  as 
being  admitted  Inhabitants  at  this  date : 

John  Walley,  Nathan  Hayman,  Nathaniel  Byfield,  Ste- 
phen Burton,  Proprietors ;  and  Captain  Benjamin  Church, 
Doctor  Isaac  Waldron,  Nathaniel  AVilliams,  Nathaniel 
Reynolds,  John  Wilkins,  William  Ingi*aliam,  Nathaniel 
Paine,  Christopher  Saunders,  Timothy  Clarke,  John  Saf- 
fin,  Solomon  Curtis,  John  Finney,  Jabez  Gorham,  Hugh 
Woodbury,  John  Rogers,  Jabez  Howland,  Jonathan 
Davenport,  Richard  Smith,  Joseph  Baxter,  William  Brown, 
John  Corps,  Joseph  Ford,  John  Cary,  Edmund  Ranger, 
Benjamin  Ingell,  George  Waldron,  Thomas  Walker, 
Thomas  Dagget,  Thomas  Lewis,  Jolin  Pope,  John  Martin, 
David  Cary,  Increase  Robinson,  William  Hedge,  Daniel 
Landon,  Widow  Elizabeth  Southard,  Anthony  Fry,  John 
Smith,  William  Hoar,  Robert  Dutch,  James  Burrel,  Na- 
thaniel Bosworth,  Benjamin  Jones,  Eliashib  Adams, 
Zechvariah  Curtis,  John  Gladding,  Joseph  Jacob,  Robert 
Taft,  Peter  Pampelion,  Samuel  Woodbury,  Samuel  Gal- 
lup, James  Burrows,  Uzal  Ward  well,  Benjamin  Bosworth, 
Edward  Bosworth,  Samuel  Penfield,  George  Moiye,  Jona- 
than Finney,  Nicholas  Mead,  Jeremiah  Osborn,  John 
Bayley,  Joseph  Sandy,  Jeremiah  Finney,  Henry  Hamton, 
John  Thurston,  Richard  Hammon,  William  Brenton, 
Watching  Athercon,  John  Wilson,  William  Throop,  ISIaj. 
Robert  Thompson,  Thomas  Bletsoe,  Samuel  Cobbett,  John 
Birge,  Richard  White. 


54 


EFFORTS    TO    SETTLE    A    GOSPEL    MINISTRY. 

The  Proprietors  of  Bristol  and  their  associates 
were  fullj^  imbued  with  the  spirit  of  the  Puritan  and 
Pilgrim  Commonwealths,  and  took  earl}^  measures  to 
secure  an  able  Gospel  Ministr3\  During  the  first 
year  of  the  settlement  they  obtained  the  services  of 
the  Rev.    Benjamin  Woodbridge,*    who   removed 


*Mr.  Woodbridge  was  a  son  of  the  Rev.  John  Wood- 
bridge,  who  was  the  first  pastor  of  the  first  Church  at 
Andover,  Mass.,  and  a  grandson  of  theRLV.  John  Wood- 
bridge,  who  was  a  distinguished  dissenting  minister  of 
Stanton,  Wiltshire,  England. 

His  mother  was  a  daughter  of  the  Hon.  Thomas  Dud- 
ley, married  in  1641.  His  grandmother  was  a  daughter 
of  the  Rev.  Robert  Parker,  who,  by  his  writings,  isM^ell 
known  to  have  been  a  strong  friend  and  advocate  of  non- 
conformil3^ 

The  father,  born  about  the  year  1613,  was  sent  to  Oxford 
to  be  educated,  but  refusing  to  take  the  oath  of  confoi-mity, 
he  was  obliged  to  leave  the  University,  and  pursued  his 
studies  privately.  In  1634  he  came  to  this  country  with 
his  uncle,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Parker.  In  1641  ho  married 
and  settled  at  Andover.  Upon  the  invitation  of  liis  friends 
in  England,  he  returned  there  in  1647.  In  1662,  being 
ejected  by  the  Bartholemew  Act,  he  again  came  to  this 
country  and  became  an  assistant  to  ]\Ir.  Parker.  Subse- 
quently he  was  a  magistrate  of  the  Colony.  He  lived  to 
see  three  of  his  sons,  JoJm,  Benjamin  and  Timothy,  in  the 
Ministry,  and  four  of  his  grandsons  preparing  for  it.  He 
died  1695,  March  17,  in  the  eighty-second  year  of  his  age. 
"Tlie  piety,"  says  his  biographer,  "which  he  imbibed  in 
his  childhood  increased  with  his  years.  He  possessed  a 
wonderful  command  of  his  passions,   and  afflictions  and 


55 


here  with  his  famil}-  and  continued  his  labors  about 
six  3'ears.  At  the  first,  beyond  tlie  provision  of  a 
''  house  to  live  in  "  and  wood  suflicient  for  his  family's 
use  for  one  3'ear,  there  was  no  fixed  salar}-,  but  va- 
rious amounts  were  rated  at  different  times,  probably 
according  to  the  supposed  need  of  his  famih'  and  the 
ability  of  the  town.  A  house,  owned  b}^  Nathaniel 
B3'field,  and  situated  on  B^'field  street,  near  the 
present  residence  of  Hon.  I.  F.  Williams,  was  hired 
by  the  town  for  Mr.  Woodridge's  residence,  and  the 
lower  south  room  of  the  same  for  Sabbath  services 
and  other  meetings,  for  which  Mr.  Bj-field  received 
£10  rent  per  year. 

November  29, 1684,  it  was  voted  "  that  Mr.Wood- 
bridge's  salar}'  for  this  year  be  made  up  to  Eight}' 
pounds  as  Money, — and  for  the  next  3'ear  to  be  made 
up  Ninety  pounds  as  Money, — and  for  the  3'ear  1686 
to  be  made  up  as  a  Hundred  pounds  as  Mone}',  and 
the  sum  for  each  year  to  be  3'early  made^  up,  dis- 
counting of  each  3^ear  so  much  as  shall  be  contributed 
b3'  strangers  ;  and  the  Hundred  jjer  annum  to  con- 
tinue till  the  time  that,  b3'  agreement  of  the  Court  of 
Pl3'mouth,  the  Town  is  to  pay  towards  the  Colon}' 
charge,  and  then  to  come  to  such  further  settlement 


losses  did  not  shake  his  pence.  Just  before  his  death  he 
refused  a  glass  of  wine  which  was  offered  him,  saying,  I 
am  going  where  I  shall  have  better." 

Mr.  Woodbridge  was  ordained  over  "  tlie  Presbjlerian 
party  "  in  Windsor,  Conn.,  1670,  March  18,  and  after  g. 
Ministry  of  about  ten  years  came  to  Bristol. 


56 


with  Mr.  Woodbridge  as  may  be  according  to  the 
abib'ty  of  the  Town,  whether  it  be  more  or  less. 
And  for  the  raising  of  tlie  snm  j^earty,  for  Mr. 
Woodbridge,  it  is  to  be  by  contribution,  if  what  they 
contribute  be  not  less  than  their  proportion  accord- 
ing to  such  rules  as  are  hereafter  set  down,  and  such 
as  contribute  short,  or  not  at  all,  to  be  Rated  b}^  the 
Selectmen,  and  gathered  b}^  the  Constable  each3'ear." 

This  vote  met  with  considerable  opposition  in  the 
town,  and  the  ninth  of  December  following  was  re- 
scinded, and  the  following  proposal  of  Mr.  Wood- 
bridge  was  adopted,  viz. :  "I  do  propose  that  from 
the  twenty-fifth  day  of  April  next,  and  so  onward 
during  my  continuance,  I  will  take  up  with  a  free 
and  weekl}^  contribution.  Provided,  if  it  doth  not 
amount  to  sixt}'  pounds  per  annum,  the  Town  forth- 
with to  make  it  up,  and  if  ever  it  come  to  above 
an  Hundred  per  annum,  the  overplus  to  be  at  their 
disposal." 

The  labors  of  Mr.  Woodbridge  were  not  sufficiently 
acceptable  to  some  of  the  leading  citizens  to  favor  his 
settlement,  although  no  opposition  was  made  to 
emplo3'ing  his  services  temporarih'.  This  state  of 
things  was  unfortunate,  both  for  Mr.  Woodbridge, 
who  desired  a  permanent  settlement,  and  for  the 
town,  which  needed  a  settled  Minister  and  a  regu- 
larly organized  Church.  At  length  the  subject  was 
brought  before  the  Town  at  a  meeting,  1686,  Ma}' 
17,  when  it  was  propounded  whether  any  persons 
were  against  the  settling  of  Mr.  Woodbridge.  Eleven 
persons  voted  against  his  settlement,  and  between 
twenty  and  thirty  voted  in  his  favor. 


57 


About  this  time  the  following  letter  was  addressed 
"  to  the  Kever'd  Mr.  James  Allen,  JNIr.  Increase 
Mather,  and  Mr.  Samuel  Willard  in  Boston.* 

"BwSTOL,  the  11th  May,  1686. 
Gentle:men  : — There  is  a  few  lines  subscribed  by  my- 
selfe  &  some  others  thai  I  suppose  you  will  have  the  peru- 
sal of,  &  though  there  is  not  oppertunity  fully  to  lay 
things  before  you,  yet  I  know^  not  but  without  coming  to 
perticulers  you  may  see  reason  not  to  encourage  Mr. 
Woodbridge  staying  with  us.  I  am  satisfied  that  he  is  not 
like  to  have  a  quiet  &  peaceable  settlement;  nay,  those 
that  are  estimated  by  him  to  be  his  gi-eatest  friends  &  most 
desire  his  settling,  yet  own  they  doe  not  see  any  probability 
of  it.  You  may  hear  somewhat  of  our  motions  by  Mr. 
Byficld,  but  there  is  more  to  be  said  that  probable  he  will 
mind,  but  if  put  upon  proofs  by  Mr.  Woodbridges  not  own- 
ing or  denying  wee  must  desire  time  not  exspecting  this 
Avould  be  the  manner  or  the  season  of  issueing  but  rather 
an  oppertunity  of  advising.  That  I  may  a  little  give  you 
the  state  of  some  things  with  us  please  consider 

That  here  in  this  town  14  [or  15]  men  that  have  been 
members  of  other  churches,  Mr.  Woodbridge  instead  of 
getting  more  Interest  in  these  hath  brought  it  to  that  now 
but  3  that  I  can  perceive  can  act  for  his  settling. 

Among  them  that  are  the  Proprietors  soe  called  being 
about  18  in  number,  though  they  are  not  willing  to  vote 
him  out  of  town,  yet  I  cannot  perceive  as  things  are  cir- 
cumstanced that  there  is^  above  5  or  6  that  act  for  liis 
settling. 

Take  the  Town  as  a  Town  &  I  know  not  whether  it  will 
not  be  good  to  see  who  they  be  &  how  many  that  are  for 
recalling  &  further  encourageing  him,  both  whichlper- 


^Mass.  Hist.  Coll.,  VIII.,  4th  Series,  651. 


58 


ceive  he  exspects.  For  Mr.  Woodbridges  first  call  which 
he  hath  built  upon  ever  since  was  when  we  were  not  a 
Town  &  were  not  a  Third  so  many  concerned  as  now  are. 

Our  designe  in  the  paper  we  have  some  of  us  subscribed 
&  sent,  is  not  to  give  an  account  of  how  many  in  the  Town 
are  dissatisfyed,  but  that  you  may  see  that  many  of  them 
who  are  principally  exspected  to  act  in  Church  matters  are 
not  satisfyed  &  though  there  be  but  7  of  the  14  I  mention 
above  have  subscribed,  yet  I  can  make  out  what  I  there 
write  to  be  true. 

It  is  exspected  that  there  should  be  a  Town  meeting, 
though  those  Mr.  Woodbridge  reckoned  when  he  went 
away  should  promote  it  have  been  cold  in  it  since,  but 
they  have  rec'd  a  note  from  Mr.  Woodbridge  that  surely 
will  put  them  that  are  desirous  of  his  returning  to  be  upon 
action  &  it  will  be  with  lesse  offence  for  them  that  are  for 
him  to  appear  then  for  others  that  are  not  satisfyed  to  act 
against  him.  It  hath  been  a  great  wrong  for  Mr.  Wood- 
bridg  he  hath  all  ways  reckoned  his  Interest  greater  than 
it  is.  Some  there  are  that  are  sincerely  for  him  no  doubt; 
but  if  he  will  make  it  his  own  act  to  leave  us  I  doubt  not 
but  matters  with  us  would  quickly  be  quieted,  more  than 
the  charge  of  making  Mr.  AVoodbridg  satisfaction  for  what 
he  hath  laid  out;  if  he  demand,  it  will  render  the  thing 
grievous  to  some.  But  if  wee  part  I  am  for  doing  all  things 
wee  are  capable  of  that  can  rationally  be  required  of  us. 
For  my  own  perticuler  I  can  truly  say  I  never  have 
managed  any  perticuler  controversie  with  him.  I  endeav- 
ored his  settlement  &  promoted  his  Interest  &  boare  with 
many  discouragements  as  long  as  I  thought  I  ought  or 
could  doe.with  a  good  conscience.  It  was  all  ways  my  un- 
happiness,  that  whatever  I  managed,  really  designing  his 
benefit,  other  constructions  were  made  of  it  by  him ;  but 
that  I  easyly  gott  over  &  thought  he  sliould  act  for  himself, 
or  they  for  him  that  he  thought  could  doe  it  more  to  his 
satisfiiction.  I  have  slited  or  took  little  notice  of  many 
afii'onts  I  have  mett  with,  but  some  word  he  hath  said  of 


59 

late  that  I  have  heard  him  speake,  some  own  others  &  that 
I  believe  1  can  make  out  the  rest,  that  I  must  needs  say 
I  take  not  well  from  him.  Hoav  f^irr  of  late  he  hath  been 
guilty  in  spreading  a  false  report  of  me  in  matters  that  have 
been  much  to  my  damidg  &  discredit,  might  be  made  out 
if  need  were.  That  he  should  charge  me  with  haveing  de- 
signs as  deep  as  the  bottomless  pitt;  That  he  should  charge 
mee  not  only  that  my  designs  tended  to  it,  but  that  my  de- 
sign was  to  ruin  this  .town,  whereas  on  the  contrary  it 
sufliciently  appears  I  have  rather  adventured  the  undoing 
of  myselfe  for  the  good  of  the  Town ;  That  he  should 
charge  me  that  because  I  was  sometimes  ready  to  justifye 
my  sincerity  in  all  our  late  motions  respecting  him,  &  that  I 
had  peace  in  my  conscience,  lett  others  charge  me  how 
they  would,  That  he  believed  I  had  some  secret  inward 
guilt  lay  on  mee  that  made  me  speake  soe  much  of  my 
peace  in  these  matters ;  &  then  at  a  Tov/n  Meeting,  where 
there  was  a  peaceable  issue  in  ade  of  some  affairs  of  the 
Town  which  it  is  said  he  is  troubled  at,  that  he  should  say 
he  questioned  whether  I  had  anything  to  do  to  vote  there. 
These  &  other  such  charges  &  reflections  I  never  deserved 
from  him,  or  had  he  reason  for,  but  these  are  things  that 
I  have  not  had  account  of  or  heard  but  a  little  while  & 
therefore  not  in  the  least  to  be  reckoned  as  any  part  of  the 
gi-ound  of  my  fonner  unsatisfyedness  with  him.  To  goe 
about  to  give  an  account  of  the  occasions  &  reasons  of  my 
dissatisfaction  &  by  what  degrees  it  came  to  that  heighth 
th'it  now  it  is,  would  be  a  larger  taske  than  I  can  now  goe 
about ;  but  if  what  Mr.  Byfield  hath  to  offer  be  no  gi'ound 
I  doubt  not  but  I  shall  be  able  to  say  that  &  more 
when  there  is  oppertunity. 

These  lines  are  writt  in  haste.  Be  pleased  to  put  a  can- 
did construction  thereon.  I  thanke  God  I  ]iope  I  can 
truely  say  I  would  be  found  doeing  of  that  which  is  my 
duty,  could  easyly  passe  by  personal  injuiys.  It  is  not  the 
matter  of  maintenance  or  anylhingof  any  such  nature,  but 
an  assured  &  I  think  well  grounded  confidence  that  his 


60 


settling  here  is  not  like  to  be  with  love  &  peace  &  any  com- 
petent satisfaction  to  those  that  are  principally  aimed  at 
for  cari'ying  on  church  affairs.  If  he  come  again  there  is 
no  hopes  of  settling  church  affairs  that  I  foresee;  if  it  be, 
it  will  be  in  some  strange  and  unusual  way,  &  if  there  be 
not  a  settlement  of  these  matters  according  to  the  practice 
of  other  Churches  what  sober  men  that  are  among  us  that 
can  will  endeavor  to  remove  from  us,  &  we  expect  no  so- 
ber men  to  come  to  us  &  our  place  indeed  will  be  outdone. 
I  have  mett  with  several  losses  &  disappointments  of  late 
&  unexpected  dealings  from  some  men,  but  I  reckon  this 
not  among  the  least  of  my  troubles.  I  hope  God  will  doe 
me  good  by  all.  I  should  earnestly  desire  &  gladly  accept 
a  few  lines  from  you  to  advise  me  in  anything  you  thinke 
necessary.  Shall  not  add  but  my  service  &  hearty  respects 
to  each  of  you,  desiring  your  prayers  for  mee,  that  I  may 
be  kept  in  this  hour  of  temptation  &  that  I  may  be  directed 
in  my  duty  &  found  doeing  those  things  that  may  be  for 
the  glory  of  God  and  the  best  good  of  this  place. 
Your  friend  &  servant, 

John  W alley." 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  document  referred 
to  b}^  Mr.  Walle}'  and  addressed  to  the  same  per- 
sons, at  the  same  date  or  a  little  before.* 

[This  letter,  with  the  exception  of  the  signatures 
of  the  other  persons  whose  names  are  attached,  is 
in  the  hand-writing  of  Mr.  Walley.] 

"  Whereas  God  who  setteth  the  bounds  of  the  habita- 
tions of  the  children  of  men ;  hath  in  his  sovereign  wis- 
dome  disposed  soe  many  of  us  to  this  place  as  he  hath,  wee 


*Mass.  Hist.  Coll.,  YIII.,  4th  series,  695. 


61 


do  desire  to  be  found  doeing  those  things  in  our  several 
places  &  capacities  that  may  be  for  the  glory  of  His  name, 
the  promoting  the  Interest  &  Kingdome  of  Jesus  Christ  & 
to  be  laying  of  such  foundations  as  might  be  for  the  good 
of  ourselves  &  our  Children  after  us  &  as  it  is  our  duty  soe 
it  hath  been  our  earnest  desire  that  we  might  enjoy  not 
onely  the  preaching  of  the  word,  but  other  the  ordinances 
of  Jesus  Christ  &  although  from  time  to  time  wee  have 
been  in  the  use  of  means  in  order  thereunto  (yet  to  our 
griefe)  we  find  things  more  &  more  unlikely  for  obtaining 
the  same  &  our  motions  therein  have  been  hindered,  as 
wee  thinke  by  him  who  should  have  most  encouraged  the 
same.  The  Rev'd  Mr.  Woodbridge,  in  his  paper  he  left 
with  the  Town  speaks  of  his  return,  if  it  might  be  with 
peace,  incouragement  and  joynt  concurrence,  neither-  of 
Avhich  wee  thinke  he  will  procure  &  when  we  have  been 
discoursing  about  gathering  a  church  in  this  place  he  hath 
not  been  willing  to  promote  the  same  in  any  way,  without 
he  could  see  some  certainty  of  his  being  settled  &  called  to 
office  therein.  And  wee  the  subscribers,  having  had  oj)- 
pertunity  to  take  notice  of  Mr.  Woobdridge  his  methods  & 
designs  among  us,  have  reason  to  think  his  settlement  here 
will  not  be  for  the  glory  of  God,  his  good,  nor  ours;  he 
having  had  many  oppertunities  wherein  to  have  had  a  com- 
petent comfortable  &  quiet  settlement  among  us  &  he  never 
having  embraced  the  same  &  being  he  would  not  be  per- 
suaded to  fall  in  therewith,  makes  us  ready  to  think  that  his 
worke  will  be  rather  in  some  other  place  than  here  &  that 
he  is  not  the  man  that  God  intends  to  doe  us  good  by. 
And  if  he  should  be  voated  in  as  a  minister  by  a  major  part 
of  the  Town  (which  we  question)  or  imposed  upon  us  by 
others  we  must  beare  it  and  desire  we  may  as  becomes 
Christians ;  but  to  be  active  for  his  settlement  &  especially 
to  havg  any  hand  in  calling  him  to  office  amongst  us  wee 
must  be  excused  in.  It  is  our  gi-iefe  that  things  fall  out 
soe  among  us.  Wee  are  troubled  for  him  as  well  as  for 
om'selves,  &  doe  solemnly  declare  it  is  not  out  of  any 
6 


62 

prejudice  to  his  person  or  any  perticiilar  interest  or  contro- 
versie  of  our  own,  but  the  keeping  of  a  good  conscience  in 
the  discharg  of  our  duty  wee  owe  to  God,  to  the  Town,  to 
ourselves  &  one  to  another;  &  anything  wee  can  doe  for 
him,  that  wee  may  &  ought  to  doe,  wee  would  not  be  want- 
ing in,  &  wee  do  believe  that  if  he  would  make  it  his  own 
act  to  leave  us,  it  would  be  the  readyest  way  to  settle  us,  & 
we  trust  God  will  provide  for  us.  To  give  the  reasons  of 
our  discouragements  wee  have  not  now  time  lor,  but  if  any 
necessity  lyes  upon  it  wee  think  wee  should  have  time,  & 
if  the  decision  of  matters  is  to  be  by  a  Council  wee  thinke 
it  ought  to  be  upon  the  place,  &  then  will  be  best  opportu- 
nity to  understand  the  state  of  things  Avith  us.  In  the 
meane  time  your  counsel  &  advice  to  us  &  prayers  for  us 
is  earnestly  desired  by  your  servants  to  our  power. 

John  Carey, 
Hugh  Woodbury, 
Nathaniel  Reynells, 
Nathaniel  Boswokth, 
John  Walley, 
Nathaniel  Byfield. 

A  few  weeks  later  another  letter  respecting  this 
subject  was  addressed  "  To  the  Reverend  Mr.  In- 
crease Mather,  Teacher  of  the  Second  Church  of 
Christ  in  Boston.  To  be  communicated  to  the 
Church."*     The  following  is  a  copy  of  this  letter  : 

"  Honored,  Reverend  &  Beloved  in  our  Lord 
Jesus, — It  is,  we  doubt  not,  by  the  Churches  and  faitlifull 
in  Christ  sadly  observed,  that  there  are  verie  uncomforta- 
ble disagreements  among  us  in  this  Place,  which  have  an 
Evill  &  perilous  tendency. 


♦Mass.  Hist.  Coll.,  VIII.,  654. 


63 

And  (with  griefe  wee  speake  it)  of  such  a  Nature  they 
are,  and  such  an  influence  they  have  that  our  peace  is 
much  impaired,  the  worke  of  Christ  Obstructed,  our  quiet 
settlement  in  a  way  of  Church  Order  and  Gospell  fellow- 
ship for  the  present  wholly  hindered  and  the  name  of  God 
much  dishonored. 

And  although  some  of  us  (of  God's  abundant  Grace,  and 
not  for  any  wortli  in  us)  have  sometimes  t;isted  the  Good 
of  Communion  with  God  in  His  ordinances,  which,  if  our 
hearts  deceive  us  not,  leaves  such  an  impression  upon  our 
spirits  that  we  would  be  willing  to  Deny  ourselves  to  the 
uttermost;  Rather  than  become  Guiltye  of  not  doing  what 
God  Requires  of  us,   to  our  severall  abillityes  &  in  our 
severall  capacityes  for  the  enjoyment  thereof,   and  the 
settling  of  a  Gospel  Church  and  IMinistrie  here  in  a  way  of 
peace  and  order :  yet  soe  it  hath  pleased  God  to  denye  His 
Presence  and  Blessing  with  our  endeavours  for  some  years 
past,  tliat  our  essays  hitherto  have  bin  successles,  and  our 
condition  at  this  time  is  very  deplorable.    We  do  therefore 
Earnestly  Request  yourselves  in  our  present  difficultie  to 
aftoard  us  your  helpe  by  your  Elders  and  Messengers  upon 
the  third  Wednesday  of  July  next,  that  being  here  at  that 
time  Assembled  they  may  fully  hear  &  Consider  our  Case, 
and  give  us  the  Counsell  &  Advice  in  the  Lord,  who,  we 
hope  will  open  our  hearts  to  Receive  it;  in  order  where- 
unto  we  intreate  your  prayers,  that  we  may  see,  &  be  hum- 
bled for  our  sins,  which  have  been  a  provocation  to  God  & 
that  the  Lord  will  Graciously  be  reconciled  to  hs  &  accept 
us  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  in  whom  we  are 

Your  Assured  friends  to  serve  you, 
John  AYalley, 
Natiial.  Byfield, 
Xatiianiel  Reynells, 
Xatiiaxiel  Boswokth, 
John  Gary, 

Hugh  Woodbury. 
Bristoll,  June  28th,  1686. 

For  ourselves  &  in  the  behalfe  of  simdi-y  others." 


64 


We  have  found  no  record  of  the  Council  thus 
called.  It  seems  highl}-  probable  that  it  resulted  in 
the  withdrawal  of  Mr.  Woodbridge  b}'  his  own  act, 
and  the  restoration  of  peace.* 


*Hfe  was  not  long  after  settled  in  Kittery,  Me.  In  1691 
he  resided  in  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  In  1698  he  was  living  in 
Charlestown,  Mass.,  and  was  employed  by  the  town  of 
Medford  to  preach  for  six  months,  provision  being  made 
for  conveyance  from  his  home  to  Medford  every  Satur- 
day, and  return  every  Monday.  His  preaching  was  so 
generalJy  acceptable  that  movements  were  made  to  give 
him  a  call,  but  matters  were  not  hastened,  and,  at  length, 
difficulties  arose  which  prevented  his  settlement.  He  was, 
however,  anxious  to  settle,  and  persisted  in  acting  as  the 
town's  minister,  contrary  to  the  advice  of  a  Council  of 
Clergymen  and  Elders  from  Boston ;  and,  in  spite  of  votes 
of  the  town  in  1704,  "  that  what  they  had  done  about  Mr. 
W.'s  settlement  be  null  and  void,"  and  in  1705,  "that  they 
would  not  proceed  to  settle  Mr.  W.  as  their  minister." 
With  a  few  earnest  friends  he  attempted  to  gather  a  church 
"  contrary  to  the  advice  of  the  Elders  in  the  neighborhood, 
without  advice  or  respect  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town, 
and  without  the  countenance  and  concurrence  of  the 
neighboring  churches."  This  highly  irregular  attempt  was 
met  by  an  earnest  protest  from  the  town.  Appeals  were 
then  made  to  the  "  General  Sessions  of  Peace,"  at  Charles- 
town,  and  to  "  Gov.  Dudley  and  his  Council,"  both  of 
which  were  decided  adversely  to  the  claims  and  course  of 
Mr.  W.  Finally,  the  case  was  referred  to  a  Council  of 
Churches  who  censured  both  parties,  and  advised  the  quiet 
withdrawal  of  Mr.  W.  The  advice  was  not  followed,  how- 
ever, and  Mr.  W.  continued  to  preach  until  his  death,  1710, 
January  15,  after  a  residence  of  nearly  ten  years,  aged 
sixty-five  years ;  and  on  the  same  day,  with  commendable 


65 


ERECTION    OF    A    HOUSE    OF    WORSHIP. 

The  first  public  religious  serAice  in  Bristol  was  in 
the  dwelling  house  of  Deacon  Nathaniel  Bos- 
worth,  a  building  still  standing,  occupied  as  the 
residence  of  J.  DeW.  Perry,  Esq.  Afterwards 
Sabbath  services  were  held  in  Colonel  Byfield's 
house,  B3'field  street,  to  which  reference  has  pre- 
viousl}^  been  made.  These  arrangements  were  tem- 
porary, to  continue  onh'  until  such  time  as  the 
inhabitants  could  build  a  House  of  Worship. 

In  the  "  Grand  Articles  "  of  agreement  between 
the  Proprietors  and  those  to  whom  the}^  made  grants 
of  land  and  other  privileges,  it  was  stipulated  among 
other  things,  "  that  every  one  shall  and  will,  accord- 
ing to  his  estate,  pay  his  proportion  of  the  charge 
for  the  erecting  and  building  of  the  Meeting  House 
and  Minister's  House  and  accommodations  there- 
unto, when  and  at  such  time  as  those  that  have  the 
major  part  proprietary  in  said  land  shall  nominate 
and  appoint." 

October  24th,  1683,  at  a  Town  meeting,  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  pounds  were  ordered  to  be  raised,  to 
defray'  the  expense  of  building  a  Meeting  House  ; 
and  John  Walley,  Nathaniel  Byfield,  Benjamin 
Church,  John  Cary   and   John  Rogers   were   ap- 


promptitude  and  just  liberality,  the  town  voted  ten  pounds 
to  deft-ay  the  expenses  of  his  funeral, — an  act  which 
proves  that  they  would  not  let  the  sun  go  down  upon  their 
ammosity  .—Brooks'  Hist,  of  Medford,  203-208. 


66 


pointed  a  committee  to  superintend  its  erection. 
Measures  were  promptly  taken  to  carry  out  this  vote. 
A  plan  of  house  was  soon  adopted,  and  the  work 
commenced.  Citizens  who  could  be  well  emplo3'ed 
on  the  building  were  so  emplo3'ed  and  the  value  of 
their  labor  allowed  on  their  taxes.  The  timbers  were 
cut  from  the  Common,  near  by,  and  with  united  zeal 
and  courage  the  work  progressed  until  a  spacious 
and  well  constructed  Sanctuary  stood  before  them  to 
the  jo}^  of  their  hearts,  a  monument  of  their  self- 
denying  interest  in  the  Cause  of  the  Redeemer.  This 
House  was  erected  on  the  spot  where  now  stands  the 
State  Court  House.  We  find  no  record  of  its  exact 
dimensions,  but  tradition  describes  it  as  "  spacious  ; 
square  in  its  form  like  the  Apocal3'ptic  Cit}^ ;  clap- 
boarded  inside  and  out ;  having  double  galleries  one 
above  the  other ;  with  a  cap-roof,  surmounted  in  the 
centre  with  a  cupola  and  bell,  from  which  a  rope  was 
suspended  directly  beneath,  by  which  '  Goody 
Corps,'  the  sexton's  widow,  used  to  ring  the  people 
to  church  for  three  pounds  per  year,  as  her  lamented 
husband  had  done  ere  he  died  ;"  over  the  preacher's 
head,  a  dormer  window,  and  on  all  sides  double  rows 
of  windows  for  the  ingress  of  light ;  and  the  floor, 
divided  into  square  pews  with  oaken  doors,  "  through 
the  rounds  of  which  the  children  used  to  peep  at 
each  other  when  the  people  rose  for  pra3'er  and 
praise.  "  These  pews  were  constructed  from  time  to 
time  b3^  the  citizens  as  the3"  were  able,  b3^  leave  of 
the  town,  and  several  3'ears  elapsed  before  the  floor 
was  all  covered. 


67 


Considering  the  pecuniar}'  circumstances  of  the 
people,  this  effort  was  a  remarkable  instance  of  self- 
sacrifice  and  consecration  to  the  higher  interests  of 
religion.  They  were  few  in  number,  feeble  in  re- 
sources, and  had  scarcel}-  sheltered  their  families  in 
their  humble  dwellings,  when  the}'  gave  their  best 
enero-ies  to  buildino-  a  habitation  of  God.  At  a  sac- 
rifice  of  toil  and  money,  of  which  we  in  our  com- 
parative abundance  can  have  little  conception,  they 
secured  for  themselves  this  Religious  Home,  and  with 
glad  songs  of  praise  dedicated  it  to  the  worship  ot 
Almight}'  God.  "We  ma}'  smile  at  the  severe  sim- 
plicity of  style,  devoid  of  architectural  beauty ; 
unprotected  in  winter  by  warming  apparatus,  and  in 
summer  offering  literally  to  the  swallow  a  place  to 
build  her  nest  and  lay  her  young  upon  its  unceiled 
arches  ;  its  family  pews  square  and  roomy  ;  and  its 
high  pulpit,  surmounted  with  pendent  sounding 
board,  seeming  ready  to  fall  ancj.  crush  the  man  of 
God  beneath  its  weight,  as  he  discoursed  of  the  awful 
wrath  of  God  towards  impenitent  sinners ;  yet 
we  cherish  the  most  tender  and  hallowed  associations 
clustering  around  this  first  Sanctuary  of  the  fathers 
in  the  wilderness. 

This  quaint  building,  laboriously  erected  by  the 
pioneers  of  our  civilization,  and  dedicated  to  the 
worship  of  Almighty  God,  was  the  only  Sanctuary  in 
town  for  nearly  forty  years,  and  the  home  of  the  first 
church  for  a  round  century.  Here  our  pious  ances- 
try sat  and  listened  to  messages  of  Divine  Truth  and 
salvation,  raised  their  hearts  in  prayer  and  praise  to 


68 


God,  and  received  nourishment  of  spiritual  life. 
Here  were  they  trained  for  the  kingdom  of  glory, 
and  to-day  their  notes  of  praise  respond  to  angelic 
harps  around  the  throne  of  God  in  heaven.  Although 
of  the  people  who  once  lived  on  earth  and  worship- 
ped here  not  one  remains,  and  of  the  people  now 
living  not  one  ever  saw  this  House  of  God,  we  cher- 
ish tender  thoughts  of  the  past,  and  preserve  with 
veneration  the  door  of  the  pastor's  pew,  the  only 
remaining  relic  of  the  Sanctuary  where  our  fathers 
"worshipped  God  for  one  hundred  years. 

ORGANIZATION    OF    THE    CHURCH. 

Not  long  after  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Woodbridge, 
the  Rev.  Samuel  Lee,  D.  D.,  an  English  dissenting 
Clerg3"man,  celebrated  among  his  contemporaries  as 
a  man  of  profound  learning  and  ardent  piet}^,  arrived 
in  Boston,  and  was  cordiall}'  received  by  his  Breth- 
ren and  the  Churches.  Great  interest  had  been 
awakened  for  the  cause  of  Christ  in  Bristol,  which 
seemed  to  suffer  from  the  divisions  that  had  sprung 
up  under  the  Ministry  of  Mr.  Woodbridge.  Friends 
in  Boston  felt  that  it  was  of  the  highest  importance 
that  a  man  of  commanding  abilities  and  establisl\ed 
reputation  for  soundness  in  the  faith  and  wisdom 
should  at  once  occupy  this  field,  around  whom  the 
people  might  rally  in  union,  and  under  whose  direc- 
tion a  Church  of  Christ  might  be  founded.  At  their 
suggestion  he  visited  Bristol,  and  at  once  the  hearts 
of  the  people  went  out  to  him  as  being  sent  of  God, 
and  the  conviction  became  almost   universal  that  he 


69 

was  the  man  for  whose   coming  the}'  had  prayed,' 
suffered  and  waited. 

Measures  were  prompt!}-  taken  to  secure  his  set- 
tlement. The  Town  Records,  1686,  November  23, 
give  the  following  account  of  his  enthusiastic  recep- 
tion b}'  the  people,  who  went  from  the  Town  Meeting 
in  a  bod}'  to  enforce  their  call  by  the  magnetism  of 
their  presence. 

"  Then  voted  and  agreed  by  a  full  vote  and  unanimous 
consent,  to  c:dl  the  Rev.  Samuel  Lee  to  the  work  of  the 
ministiy  in  this  town,  which  was  accordingly  done  by  the 
whole  that  were  present  at  the  Town  Meeting,  waiting  on 
him  at  Mr.  Byfield's,  where  one  appointed  manifested  their 
invitation  to  him  and  he  took  it  into  consideration." 

Sixty  pounds  per  year  was  voted  by  the  town  for 
his  salary,  and  fifty  pounds  towards  building  him  a 
house.*  The  lands  for  the  Ministry  set  apart  by  the 
Proprietors  in  the  settlement  of  the  town  were  also 
voted  him.  This  call  he  accepted,  and  began  his 
labors  1687,  April  10. 


*As  speedily  as  practicable,  a  spacious  mansion,  built  in 
the  old  English  style  and,  it  is  said,  by  fai  the  most  elegant 
dwelling  in  town,  was  erected  on  the  east  side  of  Thames 
street,  which  was  then  the  shore  of  the  harbor.  This  house 
was  afterwards  owned  by  Jeremiah  Fixney,  descended 
by  inheritance  to  his  son,  Josiaii  Finney,  and  was  the 
birthplace  of  all  his  children.  In  it  was  born  the  wife  of 
the  late  William  DeWolf,  Esq.,  who,  with  her  sister 
Martha,  occupied  in  their  early  days  the  sacred  study 
chamber  where  the  man  of  God  studied,  wi'ote  and  prayed 


70 

The  third  day  of  May  following  was  observed  as  a 
day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  in  the  midst  of  which 
sacred  season  the  Church  was  organized  in  due  form 
by  the  mutual  consent  of  eight  fathers  of  the  town. 
The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  record  of  these  events 
taken  from  the  earliest  records  of  the  Church,  in  the 
almost  illegible  hand  of  Deacon  John  Care^^,  whose 
name  heads  the  page. 

"In  the  year  1687,  it  pleased  God  to  bringe  that  rever- 
end Mr.  Lee  to  Bristol,  and  [it  was  (?;  ]  on  visit  to  se  the 
plac[e]  and  preach  to  the  peopell.  Ther  was  a  joynt  voat 
of  the  town  for  his  taking  charg  heer  to  preach  the  gos- 
pel], and  in  order  of  settlinge  the  plac[e]  in  gospell  order; 
which  after  some  short  spac[ej  came  with  his  wife  and 
family  to  settel  heer." 

"  The  10th  of  April  he  begins  with  us,  in  order  there- 
unto       '87.  ****** 

"May  the  third  was  the  cliurch  gathered  by  the  mutual 
consent  and  agreement  of  thos[e]  persons  mentioned. 

Major  John  Walley,  Captain  Natfianiel  Byfield, 
Captain  Benjamin  Chukch,  Nathaniel  Reynolds, 
John  Carey,  Hugh  Woodbuky,  Goodman  Throup, 
Nathaniel  Bosworth  whom  they  elected  Deacon." 


for  his  beloved  people.  The  two  eldest  of  Mr.  DeWolf  s 
children  were  also  born  here.  For  many  years  this  house 
was  known  as  "  The  Old  Bay  State,"  we  know  not  why, 
unless  it  may  be  because  it  was  so  redolent  with  the 
associationsof  Puritan  ideas,  which  are  the  glory  of  Massa- 
chusetts. The  only  relic  of  it  now  remaining  is  a  pane  i)f 
glass  inscribed  with  the  name  Martha  Finney,  in  the 
possession  of  a  descendant  of  the  family. 

The  8th  of  May  '87  was  the  first  sacrament  in  Bristol : 
Con.-0-4-3  the  Contribution-0-11-2. 


71 

IMajor  Walley's  dangliter  Elizabeth  that  day  baptized, 
Nathaniel  Reynolds  his  sone  Benjamin  baptized.— The  two 
first  in  that  Cliurch." 

Thus  was  the  First  Church  gathered  in  Bristol,  the 
first  of  the  Congregational  order  within  the  present 
limits  of  Khode  Island.*  At  the  organization,  and 
for  man}'  years  afterwards,  the  Church  was  known  as 
"  The  Church  of  Christ  ix  Bristol."  After  the 
incorporation  of  the  Catholic  Congregational  Society 
in  1784,  the  Church  was,  b}^  common  consent,  called 
"  The  Catholic  Congregational  Church."  By 
this  name  it  was  known  until,  in  order  to  hold  and 
protect  Charitable  funds  entrusted  to  its  care,  it  was 
incorporated  by  act  of  the  General  Assembl}^  in  1869, 
under  the  title  "  The  First  Congregational  Church 
in  Bristol."  This  is  our  present  name  and  appro- 
priate designation,  though  we  be  no  less  a  simple 
"  Church  of  Christ"  than  when  we  began,  and  are 
no  less  "Catholic"  in  our  fellowship  with  all  who 
love  our  Lord  in  sincerit}^,  and  strive  to  do  his  will. 

Our  Church  life  began  in  pra^-er  to  God,  who  gra- 
ciousl}'  directed  those  sturd}'  pioneers  as  the}'  bowed 


*The  Church  at  East  Providence  is  older,  but  its  mem- 
bers are  from  both  East  Providence  and  Seekonk,  Mass., 
and  it  has  always  been  identified  in  Conference  relations 
with  the  Massachusetts  Churches.  The  Church  in  Bar- 
rington  has  also  been  claimed  as  being  organized  at  an 
earlier  date,  but  it  is  stated  in  BicknelPs  History,  p.  180, 
*'  that  no  distinct  Church  with  a  thorough  Congregational 
polity  was  established  until  after  the  year  1711,  and  prior 
to  1718." 


72 


before  Him.  Firml}^,  therefore,  were  the  foundations 
of  our  spiritual  edifice  laid,  and  though  the  storms 
of  earth  have  beaten  against  it,  all  these  years  it  has 
stood,  because  it  was  founded  upon  a  rock. 

BIOGRAPHICAL    NOTES    OF    THE    EARLY    MEMBERS. 

The  constituent  members  of  the  Church  were  all 
men  of  excellent  character  and  leading  influence  in 
the  town,  and  some  of  them  were  also  prominent 
actors  in  Colonial  affairs,  and  held  stations  of  honor 
which  gave  them  a  national  reputation. 

John  Walley,  the  first  on  the  list  of  members, 
one  of  the  four  original  proprietors  of  the  town,  was 
highly  respected  and  honored  with  various  oflfices 
which  he  discharged  with  marked  abilit}^  and  fidelity. 
In  all  eflbrts  for  the  civil,  social,  moral  and  religious 
welfare  of  the  community  he  was  among  the  fore- 
most of  the  citizens,  and  favored  the  most  liberal 
provisions  for  these  ends.  He  loved  the  Church  of 
Christ  with  singular  devotion,  and  it  was  a  great 
grief  to  him  that  the  organization  of  the  Church  in 
Bristol  was  so  long  dela^^ed.  He  was  ever  the  warm 
friend  and  hearty  supporter  of  the  Gospel  Ministry, 
and,  while  he  conscientiousl}^  opposed  the  settlement 
of  Mr.  Woodbridge,  and,  perhaps  more  than  any 
other  man,  was  instrumental  in  his  removal,  he  yet 
rejoiced  in  all  the  good  he  accomplished,  and  was 
among  the  readiest  to  give  him  liberal  pecuniary 
support  as  long  as  he  remained. 

Nor  were  the  public  services  of  Mr.  Walley  con- 
fined to  Bristol.     He  was  well  known  throughout 


73 


New  England,  and  especiall}'  in  Boston,  where  he 
had  lived  and  engaged  successfully  and  honorablj^  in 
mercantile  pursuits,  his  valuable  public  labors  were 
in  frequent  calL  He  was,  for  a  season,  Judge  of  the 
Superior  Court,  and  a  member  of  the  Governor's 
Council.  In  1690  he  had  command  of  the  land 
forces  in  the  expedition  of  Sir  William  Phipps, 
against  Canada,  of  which  he  published  a  journal 
which  is  preserved  in  Hutchinson's  histoiy.  Although 
this  expedition  was  unsuccessful,  it  involved  much 
heroic  self-sacrifice  and  reflected  honor  both  upon 
the  men  and  their  commanding  officer. 

Mr.  Walley  was  a  son  of  the  Rev,  Thomas 
Wallet,  of  London,  who  was  at  one  time  Rector  of 
St.  Maiy's  White  Chapel,  and  said  to  be  a  man  of 
great  esteem ;  who  was  one  of  the  eight  ministers 
who  came  from  London  in  the  "  Society,"  Captain 
Pierce,  arriving  in  Boston,  1663,  May  24,  and  who 
died  on  Sunday,  1678,  March  24,  aged  sixty-one 
years. 

He  came  before  his  father  and  settled  in  Boston, 
whence  he  removed  to  BristoL 

His  residence  in  this  town  was  in  the  rear  of  State 
street,  and  his  dwelling,  substantiallj'  built  after  the 
style  of  those  early  times,  is  still  standing  and 
known  as  "  the  Walley  house."  His  famil}^  con- 
sisted of  wife  and  three  children,  two  daughters  and 
a  son  born  here. 

His  daughter  Sarah  married  Charles  Chauncy,  of 
Boston,  and  was  the  mother  of  a  son  of  the   same 
name,  who  became  "  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
7 


74 


divines  on  our  side  of  the  ocean,"  the  junior  Pastor 
of  the  Old  South  Church,  referred  to  in  the  follow- 
ing notices  of  Mr.  Byfield  and  family. 

On  the  second  of  March,  1692,  he  was  left  a 
sorrowful  widower  by  the  decease  of  his  loving  and 
dutiful  wife,  the  sharer  of  his  jo3's  and  burdens,  who 
departed  in  the  triumphs  of  Christian  faith.  In  the 
latter  part  of  his  life  he  returned  to  Boston,  where 
he  died  in  calmness  and  humble  reliance  upon  the 
Great  Redeemer  for  mercy,  1712,  January  11th,  in 
the  sixty-ninth  3'ear  of  his  age. 

"  The  high  trusts  imposed  by  his  country,"  says  his  Bio- 
grapher, "  were  discharged  with  ability  and  fidelity.  To 
his  wisdom  as  a  Counsellor  and  his  impartiality  as  a  Judge, 
he  added  an  uncommon  sweetness  and  candor  of  spirit  and 
the  various  virtues  of  the  Christian.  His  faith  was  justi- 
fied by  his  integrity,  his  works  of  pietj"^  and  charity." 

Nathaniel  Byfield  was  the  son  of  the  Rev. 
Richard  Byfield,  "  the  laborious  faithful  pastor  of 
Long  Ditton  in  Surrey,  England,  who  was  one  of 
the  oldest  of  the  ejected  ministers  in  that  county ; 
who  afterwards  retired  to  Montlack,  where  he  usuall}' 
preached  twice  every  Lord's  day  in  his  own  family, 
and  did  so  the  very  Lord's  day  before  his  death,  in 
1664,  aged  sixty-seven  3'ears  ;"  who  is  described  as 
"  a  man  of  great  piety,  zeal  and  exemplary  holiness 
of  conversation  ;"  who  was  one  of  the  distinguished 
"Westminster  Assembl}^,  that  prepared  that  admirable 
compendium  of  Orthodox  Faith,  known  as  "  the 
Shorter  Catechism."  His  mother  was  a  sister  of 
Bishop  Juxon,  a  noted  family  in  England.     He  was 


75 

the  youngest  of  twent3'-one  children,  and  one  of  the 
sixteen  that  sometimes  attended  their  pious  parents 
to  the  place  of  public  worship.  He  was  born  in  1653  ; 
arrived  at  Boston  in  16 74,  and  conceiving  a  love  to 
this  country  resolved  to  settle  here.  Accordinglj^, 
he  married  the  following  jear  Miss  Deborah  Clarke, 
and  commenced  business  as  a  merchant  in  Boston. 
In  this  he  was  eminently"  successful,  accumulating 
considerable  propert}',  and,  at  the  close  of  Philip's 
war,  invested  a  portion  of  his  wealth  in  the  purchase 
of  this  township.  Here  he  became  an  earl}'  settler, 
casting  in  his  lot  with  the  pioneers  of  the  wildeniess, 
sharing  with  them  the  toils  and  hardships  of  laying 
the  foundations  of  a  new  and  well  regulated  commu- 
nit}'.  He  continued  a  citizen  of  this  town  fort}'- 
four  3-ears,  and  his  influence  was  gi'eat  in  all  civil 
and  ecclesiastical  affairs.  His  residence  was  on  the 
beautiful  peninsula  known  as  Pappoosquaws  Point, 
west  of  the  town,  and  his  farm  embraced  nearly 
all  of  the  peninsula.*  Here  was  his  famil}^  tomb, 
prepared  by  himself,  located  on  the  estate  of  the 
late  William  D'Wolf,  Esq.,  whose  remains  are 
traced  to  this  day,  in  which  were  buried  members  of 
his   famil}^   who   deceased   during   his  residence  in 


*It  has  been  generally  supposed  that  his  dwelling  house 
stood  on  the  spot  where  De.icon  William  Manchester  now 
resides,  but  recent  investigations  lead  to  the  belief  tliat  the 
venerable  mansion  now  occupied  by  the  heirs  of  the  late 
Mrs.  Sarah  Herreshoff,  was  built  originally  by  Colonel 
Byfield  and  occupied  as  his  residence. 


76 


Bristol.  Within  the  recollection  of  persons  now  liv- 
ing, the  name  of  "  Priscilla  "  and  a  part  of  "  By- 
riELD,"  were  distinctly  traced  upon  the  head-stone 

He  was  also  a  large  real  estate  owner  in  the  com- 
pact part  of  the  town.  He  had  five  children  born 
here  by  his  wife  Deborah,  three  of  whom  died  young. 
The  other  two  lived  to  be  married^  the  youngest  to 
the  Hon.  Lieutenant  Governor  Tayi>or,  of  Massa- 
chusetts,  who  soon  after  died  without  issue ;  the 
other  to  Edward  Lyde,  Esq.,  by  whom  she  had 
five  children,  three  of  whom  grew  up  and  left  de- 
scendants. 

Mr.  Byfield  was  thrifty  in  his  habits,  catholic  in 
spirit,  and  generous  in  his  benefactions,  giving  away 
systematically  and  cheerfully  a  portion  of  his  income, 
amounting  often  to  several  hundred  pounds  j^earl}^. 
One  instance  of  his  charities  mentioned  as  worthy  of 
special  remembrance  for  the  good  it  accomplished, 
was  the  publishing  and  gi-atuitously  distributing  an 
edition  of  ten  thousand  copies  of  the  Assembl3''s: 
Shorter  Catechism.  He  was  always  a  faithful  and 
eflicient  friend  of  Education  and  Religion,  and  a  lib- 
eral supporter  of  the  Gospel  Ministry.  To  his  wis- 
dom, foresight  and  liberality  are  we  chiefl}'  indebted 
for  our  broad  and  regular  streets,  our  large  and  beau- 
ful  Common,  and  especially  the  scliool  lands  which 
Were  chiefly  his  own  generous  gift  to  the  town^  the 
income  from  which  have  been  a  material  help  to  the 
cause  of  education  here  and  a  perpetual  public  charity. 
Two  cups  of  our  Communion  Service  of  solid  silver 
are   inscribed   as    "  the  gift   of  Nathaniel  Byfield, 


77 


1G93."  Maii}^  other  tokens  of  his  interest  in  and 
liberal  aid  of  the  Church  and  Ministry  here  are  held 
in  remembrance  with  us  to  this  da}-. 

Nor  was  his  large  generosit}^  confined  to  the  limits 
of  Bristol.  His  eminent  abilities,  natural  and  ac- 
quired, fitted  him  for  a  high  position  in  afl'airs  of 
State,  and  he  cheerfulk  gave  his  services  to  the 
various  offices,  both  civil  and  military,  to  which  he 
was  called  by  the  suffrages  of  his  fellow  citizens  as 
well  as  by  royal  appointment.  Few  have  passed 
through  a  greater  variety  of  scenes  in  public  life. 
"  In  the  field  he  quickly  arrived  to  one  of  the  high 
est  places  of  power.  In  the  State  he  w^as  honored 
wifh  many  betrustments  ;  was  in  commission  for  the 
Peace  and  Judge  of  Probate ;  was  several  times 
chosen  Speaker  in  the  Honorable  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives ;  sat  chief  thirtj'-eight  years  in  the  Court 
of  General  Sessions  of  the  Peace  and  Common  Pleas 
for  the  county  of  Bristol,  as  afterwards  he  did  two 
years  for  the  county  of  Suffolk ;  was  one  of  His 
Majesty's  Council  for  the  province  of  Massachusetts 
Bay,  a  great  number  of  years  ;  and  had  the  honor  of 
receiving  five  several  commissions  for  Judge  of  the 
Vice  Admiralty  from  three  crowned  heads ;  from 
King  Willliam,  in  1697;  from  Queen  Anne,  in  the 
years  1702,  1703  and  1709,  and  from  King  George 
the  Second  in  1728."  Being  well  informed  for  the 
exercise  of  authorit}',  his  verj^  looks  inspirino-  re- 
spect, loving  order  and  possessed  of  a  fine  elocution, 
sincerely  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  communit}-, 
he  discharged  all  these  trusts  to  popular  acceptance. 


78 


His  name  throughout  New  EngLind  was  a  household 
word ;  and  one  of  the  towns  of  Massachusetts, 
although  he  had  no  special  connection  with  its  his- 
tor}^,  honored  itself  and  paid  him  the  homage  of  its 
respect  by  taking  his  name  which  it  holds  to  the 
present  da^^ 

The  wisdom  and  justice  of  Mr.  By  field's  acts  as  a 
Civil  Judge,  are  apparent  from  the  remarkable  fact 
that  in  no  case  were  his  decisions  ever  reversed  on 
appeal  to  higher  powers.  It  is  still  more  interesting 
to  note  his  freedom  from  those  superstitious  preju- 
dices which  blinded  even  some  of  the  best  men  of  his 
time,  and  which  led  to  the  cruel  proceedings  in  the 
matter  of  "  the  Salem  Witchcraft"  that  are  a  dark 
blot  on  the  page  of  history.  Those  proceedings  he 
had  the  courage  to  oppose  and  condemn  ;  and  had 
his  counsels  been  followed,  no  innocent  person  would 
have  suffered  death  as  a  witch. 

He  did  not  escape  the  common  lot  of  public  men 
to  suffer  unjust  aspersion  and  severe  criticisms  from 
political  rivals  in  his  own  time,  and  from  the  detrac- 
tions of  prejudiced  or  ill-informed  historians  who 
came  after  him ;  but  well  authenticated  facts  give 
him  a  highl}^  honorable  name. 

Nathaniel  Byfield  surely  made  his  mark,  and 
the  footprints  of  his  influence  will  be  traced  to  the 
end  of  time.  With  all  his  grand  and  noble  works  of 
life,  he  had  a  steady  and  unshaken  faith  in  the  truths 
of  the  Gospel,  and  died  in  the  lively  hope  of  the 
glorious  Redeemer.  In  1724,  on  account  of  his 
advanced  age,  he  returned  with  his  family  to  Boston, 


79 


where  he  closed  his  long  and  useful  life  1733,  June 
6th,  in  the  eightieth  3'ear  of  his  age.  The  sermon 
preached  at  his  funeral  b^'  his  pastor  in  Boston,  Rev. 
Charles  Chauncy,  D.  D.,  and  afterwards  published, 
was  from  the  text  John  1  :  42  :  Jesus  saiv  Nathaniel 
coining  to  hini  and  saith  of  him,  behold  an  Israelite 
indeed  in  whom  is  no  guile;  A  very  clear  and  forci- 
ble presentation  of  the  beaut}'  and  worth  of  "  a 
guileless  character ;"  at  the  close  of  which  it  is 
applied  to  Mr.  B3iield  in  these  words,  viz. : 

"  I  have  no  need  to  insert  here,  not  doubting  your  thofs 
were  upon  our  Nathaniel  while  I  was  representing  the 
character  in  the  text ;  the  application  was  so  easie  and  ob- 
vious ;  and  I  would  hope  unexceptionably :  having  care- 
fully avoided  saying  any  tiling  but  what  I  thot  in  justice 
belonged  to  him." 

An  extract  from  the  "  Weekly-  News  Letter,"  of 
June  14,  1733,  appended  to  the  published  discourse, 
mentions,  with  other  facts  that  are  embodied  in  the 
foregoing  sketch,  the  following  ; 

"  On  the  6th  of  this  instant,  between  the  hours  of  1  and 
2  in  the  morning,  died  at  his  house  here,  after  about  a 
month's  languishment,  the  Honoukable  Nathaniel 
Byfield,  Esq.,  in  the  80th  year  of  his  age:  Having  long 
been  a  great  ornament  both  of  our  Church  and  State.  *  * 

"  For  his  character,  justice  to  his  memoiy  requires  it 
should  be  said — He  was  greatly  valued  and  honored  by 
tht>se  acquainted  with  him,  for  his  superior  genius  and 
abilities;  his  great  natural  courage,  Vigor  and  Activity; 
his  plain,  unaffected,  cheerful  j^nd  instructive  way  of  (;on- 
versation;  his  catholic  spirit;  his  real  Integi'ity,  and  un- 
questionable faithfulness  and  Honesty;   his  zeal  against 


80 


sin,  and  to  maintain  public  peace  and  good  order ;  his  first 
regard  to  the  worship  of  God,  and  constant  and  devout 
and  exemplary  attendance  on  it  both  in  Public  and  private, 
and  in  one  word  his  love  to  the  Ministry,  the  Churches  ixnd 
Civil  and  Religious  interests  of  this  people:  All  which 
being  united  in  the  same  person  and  in  an  eminent  degree, 
as  it  rendered  his  life  an  extensive  blessing,  so  his  Death 
just  matter  for  lamentation. 

lie  lived  with  the  wife  of  his  youth  till  1717,  upwards  of 
forty  years;  and  the  following  year  married  Mrs.  Sarah 
Leverett,  youngest  daughter  to  the  Honorable  Gov- 
EUNOR  Leverett,  with  whom  he  lived  till  1730 :  when  he 
was  again  left  a  sorrowful  widower.  He  died  with  great 
inward  peace  and  serenity  of  soul:  and  was  honorably 
inteiTed  last  Monday — a  funeral  prayer  being  first  made  by 
the  elder  Pastor  of  the  Old  Church  to  whose  Communion 
he  belonged.  He  has  left  his  grimdson  Byfield  Lyde, 
Esq.  ;  (son-in-law  to  his  excellency  Governor  Belcher) 
Heir  to  the  bulk  of  his  Estate." 

The  last  will  of  Mr.  Byfield,  dated  1732,  Decem- 
ber 6th,  shows  that  he  had  large  real  estate  in  Boston, 
including  mansion  house,  coach  house,  stable,  cow 
house  and  two  gardens  joining ;  also,  rope  walk, 
ware  house,  wharf  and  flats  ;  also,  other  tenement 
houses,  stores,  etc.,  and  lands  covering  a  large  por- 
tion of  Fort  Hill,  and  various  sites  from  Beacon 
street  west  and  north  to  Cambridge  street,  now 
among  the  most  valuable  in  the  cit}^ ;  also  large  es- 
tate in  several  New  England  towns,  together  with 
extensive  tracts  of  land  of  several  thousand  acres  in 
Maine  and  Vermont.  His  Christian  character  is 
manifest  in  the  provisions  of  this  Will,  both  the  rever- 
ent expression  of  faith  towards  God,  and  bequests  of 


81 


charit}'.  together  with  an  equitable  division  of 
property  among  his  heirs  after  tlie  full  paj'ment  of 
all  debts  and  other  bequests.  It  was  his  principle 
and  practice  to  give  largely'  in  life  to  religious  and 
charitable  objects,  and  he  expected  the  heirs  of  his 
estate  to  follow  his  example  in  this  respect ;  accord- 
ingl}'  there  were  no  large  charitable  bequests  made 
in  this  Will,  jet  as  a  token  of  personal  affection  and 
respect  for  their  office,  he  bequeathed  gifts  to  "  all 
and  every "  Minister  of  Chi'ist,  of  every  denomina- 
tion, in  Boston,  to  the  President  and  professors  in 
Cambridge,  and  additional  bequests  to  his  "  dear 
pastors,"  FoxcROFT  and  Chauncy,  of  the  Old  South 
Church.  His  servants  were  remembered  with  Chris- 
tian affection  and  counsel,  and  freedom^  with  ample 
provisions  to  secure  the  enjoyment  of  the  same,  was 
given  to  a  favorite  servant  to  take  effect  six  months 
after  his  decease. 

Mr.  Bj^field  was  buried  in  the  "  Granarj^  Burial 
Ground,"  near  Park  street  Church.  The  tombstone 
has  inscribed  the  Byfield  Coat  of  Arms,  with  the 
name  Lyde  cut  on  the  shield.  The  stone  which 
marked  Mr.  B3'field's  grave  has  long  since  disap- 
peared, and  is  supposed  either  to  be  destroj'ed  or,  in 
the  changes  made  in  the  tomb,  to  be  concealed  from 
view.  The  following  epitaph,  the  production  of  Rev. 
Mather  Byles,  was  inscribed  : 

"Byfield  beneath  in  peaceful  slumber  lies; 
Byfield  the  good,  the  active  and  the  wise; 
His  manly  frame  contained  an  equal  mind ; 
Faithful  to  God,  and  generous  to  mankind ; 


82 


High  in  his  country's  Honors  long  he  stood, 

Succored  distress  and  gave  the  hungi-y  food; 

Injustice  steady,  in  devotion  warm, 

A  loyal  subject,  and  Patriot  firm ; 

Through  every  age  his  dauntless  soul  was  tried : 

Great  while  he  lived,  but  greater  when  he  died." 

Mrs.  Deborah  Byfield,  the  wife  of  his  3'outh 
and  companion  for  about  forty  years,  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  Captain  Thomas  Clarke,  of  Boston.  She 
united  with  the  Church  in  Bristol,  soon  after  its  organi- 
zation, and  tradition  sa3"s,  was  one  of  the  most  valua- 
ble and  useful  of  the  female  members,  a  fit  associate 
and  help-meet  of  her  worthy  husband.  We  regret 
that  there  are  no  records  or  materials  from  which  a 
more  extended  notice  can  be  given.  As  her  decease 
occurred  in  1717,  several  3'ears  before  his  return  to 
Boston,  it  is  supposed  that  she  was  buried  here  in 
the  Family  Tomb  on  his  farm  ;  but  as  her  death  is 
not  recorded  in  the  town  books,  it  is  possible  that 
she  died  and  was  buried  among  her  family  friends  in 
Boston. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Byfield,  the  beloved  consort  of  his 
riper  years,  who  died  in  Boston,  1730,  December  21, 
was  buried  in  the  Burial  Ground  where  his  remains 
were  afterwards  placed  by  her  side.  The  Weekly 
News  Letter,  No.  1405,  of  date  December  29,  1730, 
gives  the  following  notice  of  the  funeral : 

*'  Yesterday  were  buried  here  the  Remains  of  that  truly 
honorable  and  devout  Gentlewoman  Mrs.  Sarah  Byfield 
amidst  the  affectionate  Respects  and  lamentations  of  a 
numerous  concourse .     Before  carrying  out  the  Corpse  a 


83 

Funeral  prayer  was  made  by  one  of  the  Pastors  of  the  Old 
Church  to  whose  communion  she  belonged  :  which  tho'  a 
custom  in  the  country  towns  is  a  singular  instance  in  this 
place,  but  it's  wished  may  prove  a  leading  example  to  the 
general  practice  of  so  christian  and  decent  a  custom.  The 
Pall  was  held  up  by  the  Hon.  the  late  Lieut.  Gov. 
DuMMEK  with  other  gentlemen  of  his  Majesty's  Council. 
Among  the  mourning  Relatives  went  his  excellency 
Governor  Belcher,  and  his  Honour  Lieut.  Gov. 
Tailer,  followed  by  a  long  train  of  persons  of  public  dis- 
tinction and  private  character;  paying  their  last  offices  to 
the  Dead,  and  uniting  their  sincere  condolence  with  the 
living," 

Od  the  Sabbath  following  her  decease  and  burial, 
her  pastor,  the  Rev.  Charles  Chauncy,  D.  D., 
preached  a  discourse  from  the  text,  James  4  :  14,  on 
*' Man's  life  considered  under  the  similitude  of  a 
vapor,"  from  which  we  make  the  following  extracts  : 

*'  She  had  naturally  a  weak  and  tender  Body,  but  a 
strong  and  noble  soul ;  w  hich  being  cultivated  and  en- 
riched by  a  good  education  and  great  industry  rendered 
her  truly  amiable  and  desirable,  and  fitted  her  to  be  a 
blessing  in  the  station  Providence  had  assigned  her. 

"  Her  temper  was  lively  and  cheerful,  yet  far  from  light 
and  vain  :  being  well  ballast  by  a  singular  discretion.  In 
her  most  pleasant  hours,  she  was  never  unfit  to  enter  upon 
a  serious  subject,  and  always  treated  it  with  a  becoming 
gravity  and  reverancc . 

"  She  had  a  good  taste  in  conversation  and  was  exceed- 
ingly well  tuined  for  it,  having  a  ready  wit,  a  sprightly 
genius,  an  easy  smooth  way  of  expressing  herself:  and 
bemg  able  without  stiffness  or  ostentation  to  be  both  en- 
tertaining and  profitable. 

"  She  was  an  honour  to  her  sex,  in  her  exemplary  De- 
portment under  all  the  various  characters  and  relations  of 


84 


life :  As  a  neighbor  kind  and  pitiful :  As  a  friend,  true  and 
hearty :  As  a  wife  tender  and  dufiful,  engaging  in  her  car- 
riage :  reverent  and  respectful :  As  mistress  in  a  family, 
discreet  in  her  management,  neat  and  cleanly,  tho^tful  of 
all  under  her  care,  indulgent  and  compassionate  to  her  ser- 
vants, especially  concerned  about  their  souls,  and  frequent 
in  teaching  them  the  good  knowledge  of  the  Lord ;  in  her 
treatment  of  strangers,  hospitable ;  courteous,  pleasant, 
observing  and  edifying  to  those  that  came  to  visit  her. 

"  But  her  chief  excellency  and  whatmosc  recommended 
to  all  that  knew  her  was  her  undissembled  piety.  She 
had  an  habitual  prevailing  awe  and  reverence  of  God  upon 
her  heart,  which  early  discovered  itself  and  all  along 
through  the  course  of  her  life,  not  only  in  an  utter  abhor- 
rence of  everything  that  savored  of  irreverance  but  in  a 
due  treatment  of  those  things  wherein  the  Divine  honor  is 
nearly  concerned.  She  loved  the  House  and  sanctified  the 
day  of  God  and  gave  her  constant,  devout  attendance  on 
the  public  worship  and  all  Gospel  ordinances;  paid  a  sin- 
gular regard  to  the  Holy  Scriptures ;  v-alued  the  Ministers 
of  Religion ;  and  had  an  universal  regard  to  all  good  men. 
But  above  all  Christ  was  the  object  of  her  love  her  faith, 
her  hope.  Him  she  embraced  as  the  alone  Redeemer  of 
souls ;  Him  she  trusted  with  the  great  affair  of  her  eternal 
salvation ;  him  she  loved  with  her  whole  heart ;  Him  she 
made  it  her  care  to  please  in  all  things ;  His  image  she 
was  adorned  with,  and  the  graces  of  His  Spirit  she  lived 
in  the  daily  exercise  of ;  And  we  charitably  believe  she  is 
gone  to  be  with  Christ,  which  is  best  of  all."* 

Benjamin  Church,  the  third  on  the  list  of  origi- 


*For  these  memoranda  of  Mrs.  Byfield,  also  items  given 
in  sketches  of  Mr.  Byfield,  we  are  indebted  to  a  volume  of 
Sermons  in  "  the  Prince  Library,"  Boston,  containing  the 
two  funeral  discourses  of  Dr.  Chauncy. 


85 

nal   members,    is    a   prominent   name   in  the    earl}' 
Colonial  histor}'. 

He  was  a  son  of  Richard  Church,  who  came  to 
Massachusetts  in  the  fleet  with  Gov.  AVinthrop  ;  a 
carpenter  b}'  trade  ;  lived  at  Wessagusset  (We}'- 
mouth,)  and  Pl^-month,  where  he  was  admitted  a 
freeman  in  1633  ;  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Richard  Warren,  in  1636  ;  was  often  a  member  of 
the  "  Grand  Enquest,"  and  frequently-  chosen  as  a 
Referee ;  served  as  Sergeant  in  the  Pequot  war ; 
helped  build  the  first  Meeting  House  in  Ph'mouth 
about  1637;  was  in  Charlestown  in  1653;  but 
finally  settled  in  Hingham,  where  he  made  his  will 
1668,  December  25th,  and  died  two  da3's  after  at 
Dedham,  leaving  nine  children. 

He  was  born  at  Plj-mouth,  in  1639,  and  was  bred 
to  his  father's  trade.  1667,  December  26th,  he  mar- 
ried Alice  Southworth,  grand-daughter  of  the  dis- 
tinguished wife  of  Gov.  Bradford,  second  daughter 
of  Constant  and  Elizabeth  (Collier)  Southworth, 
of  Duxbuiy,  born  in  1646.  Their  earl}-  married  life 
was  passed  in  Duxbury,  though  he  temporaril}'  re- 
sided in  various  parts  of  the  Colon}-  in  the  pur- 
suit of  his  vocation. 

Less  than  six  months  after  his  father's  death,  1669, 
June  1st,  he  received  from  the  Court  a  grant  of 
"  land  att  Taunton  River,"  which  AVilliam  Pabodie 
had  taken  np  and  then  surrendered,  "  for  full  satis- 
faction for  all  the  right  his  father  Richard  Church, 
deceased,  hath  to  land  in  this  Collonie.''  He  was 
for  many  years  in  the  almost  constant  employ  of  the 

8 


S6 


Colon}^,  on  juries  for  the  trial  of  both  civil  and  crimi- 
nal cases,  and  was  the  Constable  of  Duxbur3\ 

In  1674,  influenced  b}^  the  representations  of  Cap- 
tain John  Almy,  of  Rhode  Island,  whose  acquaint- 
ance he  had  made  during  a  session  of  the  Court  at 
Pl3"mouth,  he  visited  the  territory  known  then  b}'  the 
Indian  names  Focasset  and  Soffkonate,  now  Little 
Compton,  R.  I.,  was  pleased  with  it,  made  a  pur- 
chase, settled  a  farm,  and  soon  erected  two  build- 
ings upon  it.  This  farm  was  in  the  north-west  part 
of  the  town,  near  the  east  passage  of  Narragansett 
Bay.  He  was  the  first  Englishman  that  settled  here, 
"  gained  a  good  acquaintance  with  the  Natives,  got 
much  into  their  favour,  and  was  in  a  little  time  in 
great  esteem  among  them." 

During  the  following  spring,  while  he  was  dili- 
gently emplo3'ed  on  his  farm,  and  hoping  that  his 
good  success  would  be  inviting  unto  other  good  men 
to  become  his  neighbors, the  rumor  of  a  war  between 
the  English  and  Natives  gave  check  to  his  peaceful 
projects.  Being  informed  b}^  Weetamoe  and  some  of 
her  chief  men  of  the  inimical  intentions  of  Philip, 
the  Sachem  of  Mount  Hope,  and  receiving  fuller 
intelligence  of  the  same  at  a  Great  Dance  given  by 
Awaslioniks  Squaw  Sachem  of  the  "  Sogkonate " 
Indians,  to  which  she  had  invited  him,  he  immediately 
set  out  for  Plymouth  to  apprise  the  Authorities 
there  and  take  counsel  with  them  respecting  meas- 
ures to  be  taken  in  the  emergency.  From  this  time 
until  the  close  of  Philip's  war,  he  was  emplo^-ed  in 
the   service  of  the   Colony.     Distinguished  for  re- 


87 


markable  physical  vigor  and  activit}',  exposed  from 
childhood  to  the  perils  of  Indians,  and  understanding 
thoroughly  their  mode  of  warfare,  he  rendered  most 
valuable  services  as  a  militar}"  leader,  and  to  him 
more  than  to  an}-  other  man  belongs  the  honor  of 
bringing  to  a  victorious  close  that  bloodiest  and  most 
terrific  of  the  Indian  wars,  known  as  King  Philip's 
war.  Late  in  life  he  dictated  to  his  son,  Thomas 
Church,  Esq.,  a  narrative  of  this  war  and  of  later 
expeditions,  which  was  published,  passed  through 
several  editions,  and  is  still  the  standard  history-  of 
those  times.  He  was  at  the  head  of  the  party  b}'  which 
King  Philip  was  slain  in  the  swamp  at  the  foot  of 
Mount  Hope,  and  by  his  skill  and  bravery  a  few  days 
after,  Annowan,  the  last  of  Philip's  great  war  chiefs, 
was  taken  captive.  His  surprise  and  capture  of  this 
warrior  has  been  described  as  "an  act  of  heroic 
boldness  which  has  no  parallel  in  modern  times." 
His  numerous  and  perilous  adventures  with  the  sav- 
ages in  the  region  of  Narragansett  Ba}-  and  Cape 
Cod,  read  like  a  volume  of  romance.  His  success  in 
these  encounters  inspired  such  confidence,  that  he 
was  subsequently-  charged  with  the  command  of  five 
different  expeditions  against  the  Indians  in  Maine, 
with  the  rank  of  Major  and  afterwards  of  Colonel. 
In  consequence  of  his  long  and  bloody  conflict  with 
the  savage  Indians,  he  has  been  unjustly-  repre- 
sented as  of  a  hard-hearted  and  cruel  disposition. 
But  he  had  a  merciless  and  treacherous  foe  to  con- 
tend with,  and  there  remained  no  alternative  but  to 
meet  them   on  their  own  ground   and  by  their  own 


88 


acts  of  warfare,  or  suffer  them  to  carry  desolation 
and  death  in  their  most  horrid  forms  through  the 
scattered  and  feeble  settlements  of  the  white  men. 
The  historian  of  Fall  River  sa3's,  "  In  raising  up 
such  a  man  as  Benjamin  Church  for  the  defense  of 
the  Colonists,  and  in  preserving  his  life  amid  the 
imminent  perils  to  which  he  was  subjected,  the  finger 
of  Divine  Providence  was  most  signally  manifested." 
Before  the  impartial  historian  this  veteran  of  Indian 
warfare  stands  "  as  a  man  of  integrity  and  piety,  a 
benefactor  to  his  country,  and  a  friend  to  his  race/' 

He  was  no  less  devout  as  a  Christian  than  he  was 
brave  as  a  warrior.  "  I  was  ever  sensible,"  he  sa3's, 
"  of  my  own  littleness  and  unfitness  to  be  employed 
in  such  great  services,  but  calling  to  mind  that  God 
is  strong  I  endeavored  to  put  all  my  confidence  in 
Him,  and  b}^  His  almighty  power  was  carried  through 
every  difficult  action,  and  my  desire  is  that  His  name 
may  have  all  the  praise."  "  I  desire  praj^ers  that  I 
may  be  enabled  well  to  accomplish  my  spiritual  war- 
fare and  that  I  may  be  more  than  conqueror  through 
Jesus  Christ's  loving  me."  In  his  home  especially 
he  was  the  devout  and  consistent  Christian.  He  regu- 
larly maintained  family  worship,  wherein  he  read, 
and  often  expounded  the  scriptures  to  his  household. 
In  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath  and  in  attending 
the  worship  and  ordinances  of  God  in  the  Sanctuary 
he  was  exemplar3^ 

After  the  close  of  Philip's  war  he  removed  to  this 
town  and  cast  in  his  lot  with  the  first  settlers.  He 
purchased   largely  of  the   original   proprietors    and 


89 


held  for  man}-  ^-ears  much  landed  estate.  He  built 
the  house  known  as  the  "  Old  Talbee  House,"  still 
standing,  near  the  corner  of  Thames  and  Constitu- 
tion streets.  He  was  frequentl}-  elected  to  offices  of 
trust  and  served  the  town  with  marked  fidelity  and 
wisdom.  He  was  public  spirited  and  contributed 
with  great  liberalit}'  for  the  support  of  institutions 
of  Religion  and  Education.  He  was  several  times 
chosen  Deputy  to  represent  the  town  at  PKraouth, 
and  in  1696  was  representative  at  Boston.  He  had 
seven  children,  five  sons  and  two  daughters — several 
of  whom  were  born  in  Bristol,  and  have  descend- 
ants still  living  among  us. 

From  Bristol  he  moved  to  Fall  River  and  subse- 
quently to  Little  Compton,  where  he  spent  his  last 
da3's  on  his  farm.  As  years  advanced  he  became 
uncomfortabl}'  corpulent  in  person.  Being  severely 
wounded  b}^  a  fall  from  his  horse,  he  sank  under  it 
and  died.  He  was  buried  with  military  honors  in 
the  cemetery  on  the  Common,  where  the  visitor  to- 
da}^  ma}^  stand  over  his  ashes  and  read  how  highl}'  he 
was  revered  in  the  significant  inscription  upon  his 
tomb  stone.  "  Here  lieth  interred  the  bod}'  of  the 
Honorable  Colonel  Benjamin  Church,  Esq.,  who  de- 
parted this  life  Jan.  17,  1717-18,  in  the  78th  3'ear  of 
his  age." 

High  in  esteem  among  the  great  he  stood. 
His  wisdom  made  him  lovely,  great  and  good. 
Though  he  be  said  to  die  he  still  survives 
Tlirough  future  time  his  memory  shall  live." 


90 


John  Gary,  fifth  on  the  list  of  members,  emigra- 
ted from  Bridgewater,  Mass.,  to  Bristol,  among  the 
earliest  settlers,  jind  established  himself  as  a  Brewer, 
residing  on  what  is  known  as  Malt  house  lane,  deriv- 
ing its  name  doubtless  from  his  business.  He  was 
the  eldest  son  of  John  Gary  and  Elizabeth  God- 
frey, who  came  to  Pl^^mouth  Golon}^  in  1630.  He 
had  ten  brothers  and  sisters.  His  father  was  a  man 
of  superior  education  and  had  great  influence  in  the 
colony  and  as  an  officer  of  the  Ghurch,  and,  tradition 
sa3'S,  "he  taught  the  first  Latin  school  in  the  colony, 
and  was  ver^^  pious  and  public  spirited." 

On  coming  to  Bristol,  Mr.  Gary  at  once  took  a 
prominent  position  in  civil  and  ecclesiastical  aff'airs, 
and  was  frequently  elected  to  offices  of  trust.  Soon 
after  the  organization  of  the  Ghurch  he  was  chosen 
Deacon  as  an  associate  with  Deacon  Bosworth, 
which  office  he  held  to  the  day  of  his  death.  His 
family  consisted  of  his  wife  Abigail,  and  eleven 
children,  seven  of  whom  were  born  previous  to 
coming  to  Bristol,  and  four  of  them  here.  Most  of 
these  grew  up  from  childhood  in  the  covenant  rela- 
tion of  baptism,  and  were  worthy  and  exemplary 
members  of  the  Ghurch.  Two  of  the  sons  were 
Deacons  and  the  husband  of  one  of  the  daughters, 
Samuel  Howl  and.  He  died  and  was  buried  in  the 
ancient  bur3'ing  ground  on  the  Gommon.  An  up- 
right stone  was  erected  to  his  memory  bearing  the 
following  inscription : 

"  Remember  death.  Here  lies  ye  dust  of  Deacon  John 
Gary,    a  shining  pattern  of  piety  whose  spirit  returned  to 


91 


God  that  gave  it  July  14tli,  1721,  in  ye  76th  year  of  his 
age. 

"  A  man  of  prayer,  so  willing  to  do  good, 
His  higliest  worth,  who  of  us  understood; 
Fear  Ciod,  love  Christ,  help  souls  their  work  to  mend, 
So  like  this  saint  fit  for  bliss  without  end." 

Respecting  the  other  constituent  members  we  have 
onl}'  the  briefest  memoranda.  Nathaniel  Rey- 
nolds was  the  son  of  Robert  Reynolds,  of  Water- 
town,  Mass.,  in  1635,  perhaps,  born  in  England.  He 
was  b^^  trade  a  shoemaker  as  was  also  his  father. 
He  lived  a  while  in  Boston,  where  he  was  admitted 
freeman  in  1665,  was  a  member  of  the  Artillery  com- 
pany' and  commanded  a  compam^  in  King  Philip's 
war  under  Colonel  Church.  He  removed  to  Bris- 
tol among  the  fii'st  settlers  and  was  an  active  and 
useful  citizen,  and  an  exemplary  Christian.  He  died 
in  the  faith  of  the  Redeemer  at  an  advanced  age, 
1708,  July  20. 

Hugh  Woodbury  was  the  son  of  William  Wood- 
bury, born  in  Salem,  Mass.,  1650,  June  30.  His 
wife  was  Mary,  daughter  of  Thomas  Dixey,  and  they 
had  several  children,  but  the  name  in  this  town  has 
long  been  extinct.  He  was  among  the  first  who 
settled  here  and  appears  to  have  been  a  worthy  citi- 
zen, respected  and  honored  both  in  civil  and  eccle- 
siastical relations.  He  died  1702,  April  17th,  in  the 
fifty-second  year  of  his  age. 

William  Throop,  called  "  Goodman  Throop  "  in 
the  record,  came  from  Barnstable  in  1680,  and  was  a 
son  of  William  Throop,  who  came  from  Leyden  in 


92 


1640.  Tradition  says  he  was  a  very  pious  and  godly 
man  and  highly  respected,  as  were  also  his  children, 
two  of  whom  became  Deacons  in  the  Church  and 
filled  that  office  for  many  years.  He  died  1704, 
December  4th. 

Nathaniel  Bosworth  was  a  son  of  Deacon  Ben- 
jamin BoswoRTH  and  Rebecca  Stevens  his  wife, 
born  in  Hingham,  Mass.,  in  1651.  He  first  settled  in 
Rehoboth,  and  removed  to  Bristol  in  1680.  His 
mother  was  killed  by  the  Indians  in  the  early  part  of 
King  Philip's  war.  His  family  were  numerous  and 
many  were  their  descendants.  He  was  a  cooper  by 
trade  and  a  fisherman,  and  tradition  sa3^s  he  worked 
hand  in  hand  with  his  associate.  Deacon  Gary,  not 
only  in  the  interests  of  their  business,  but  in  pro- 
moting the  welfare  of  Zion  which  was  their  chief 
joy.  He  was  chosen  Deacon  at  the  organization  of 
the  Church  and  continued  in  the  office  until  his 
death,  1690,  August  31st,  in  the  vigor  of  early  man- 
hood. 

Such  were  the  men,  earnest,  devoted,  godly  and 
highly  esteemed,  who  gave  the  weight  of  their  char- 
acter and  influence  to  the  foundations  of  our  beloved 
Zion.  We  wonder  not  that  such  men  in  the  Divine 
Providence  drew  around  them  and  left  behind  them 
many  others  of  kindred  spirit.  Every  decade  of 
our  historj^  has  furnished  those  whose  names  are 
worthy  of  special  commendation  for  their  faith, 
their  integrity,  their  shining  example  of  Christian 
character. 

But  not  the  men  alone  were  thus  wdrthy.   Though 


93 


at  the  organization  of  the  Church  the  fathers  of  the 
town  onl}'  united,  the  mothers  in  Israel  soon  after 
joined  them.  In  their  humbler  spheres  the}'  were 
equall}'  faithful,  and  then,  as  in  our  later  historj-  and 
as  in  the  almost  universal  history  of  Christ's  Church 
in  earth  has  been  true  of  godh'  women,  they  contri- 
buted the  largest  share  of  christian  graces  to  the 
Church  life,  and  by  far  the  brightest  light,  in  its 
dail}'  shining  before  the  world. 

SAMUEL    LEE,  D.  D.,  FOUNDER  AND    FIRST    PASTOR.       HIS 
LIFE,    MINISTRY,    AND    PUBLISHED    WORKS. 

Mr.  Lee  was  a  son  of  Mr.  Samuel  Lee,  a  wealthy 
and  highly  respected  citizen  of  London,  and  was 
born  in  the  3'ear  1625.  He  early  in  life  manifested 
a  fondness  for  books,  which  his  parents  were  pleased 
to  gratify,  sending  him  to  the  celebrated  "  St.  Paul's 
School"  to  pursue  his  studies  preparator}' for  college. 
Such  was  his  proficienc}'  here  that  in  1G40,  at  the 
early  age  of  fifteen  3'ears,  he  entered  the  L^niversity 
of  Oxford,  where  he  took  and  maintained  high  rank 
as  a  scholar,  and  in  1G48,  received  the  degree  of 
Master  of  Arts.  He  was  soon  after  settled  in  a 
Fellowship  in  Wadham  College,  and,  having  been  a 
highl}'  successful  lecturer  in  Great  St.  Helen's 
Church  in  London,  he  was,  in  1656,  appointed  Proc- 
tor of  the  Universit}'.  These  offices  were  well  sus- 
tained, and  gained  for  him  the  reputation  among  his 
contemporaries  of  being  a  man  of  very  superior 
learning  and  moral  worth. 


94 


At  the  time  of  the  famous  "  Bartholomew  Act  " 
which  deprived  nearly  two  thousand  clerg^^men  of 
their  parishes  and  pecuniar}^  support,  because  of  their 
dissent  from  some  of  the  prescribed  forms  and  cere- 
monies of  the  Established  Church,  his  sj'mpathies 
were  heartily  with  the  Dissenters,  although  he  had 
himself  no  preferment  to  lose.  After  the  death  of 
the  minister  of  a  Non-Conformist  Church  in  Hol- 
burn,  London,  which  took  place  in  1667,  he  was 
associated  in  the  pastorate  of  that  Church  with  the 
celebrated  Rev.  Theophilus  Gale.  In  September, 
1679,  we  find  him  settled  at  Bignal  near  Bicester,  in 
Oxfordshire,  and  he  was  afterwards,  for  several 
3'ears,  the  Minister  of  an  Independent  Church,  at 
Newington  Green,  near  Bishopgate,  in  London. 

After  these  3'ears  of  distinguished  service  in  the 
Ministr}'  of  Non-Conforming  Churches,  he  was  urged 
by  Bishop  Wilkins  to  accept  a  living  in  the  Estab- 
lished Church,  and  was  strongly  advised  thereto  by 
many  of  his  friends.  But  his  dissent  from  the  cere- 
monies and  usages  of  that  Church  was  conscientious 
and  hearty,  and  while  he  was  liberal  to  concede  to 
others  their  rights  of  conscience,  he  could  not  com- 
promise with  his  own  conscience  for  the  sake  of  any 
of  the  flattering  advantages  offered  to  the  gratifying 
of  a  lofty  ambition.  This  persistence  in  identifying 
himself  with  the  weaker  Non-Conformist  party 
offended  those  who  desired  to  avail  themselves  of  his 
great  talents  and  learning,  and  who  felt  that  they 
had  as  it  were  a  preemptive  right  to  all  distinguished 
personages  in  the  Realm.     For  this  offense  he  suf- 


95 

feredmuch  annoyance  and  pcttj'  persecutions  at  their 
hands.  But  the  Non-Conformist  part}',  grateful  for 
his  hibors  in  their  cause  and  for  the  strength  of  his 
name,  rallied  around  him  as  a  leader,  and  gave  him 
the  enthusiasm  of  their  admiration. 

At  length,  being  apprehensive  of  a  still  further 
invasion  of  the  rights  of  conscience,  he  resolved  to 
migrate  to  New  England,  where  he  could,  untram- 
meled,  exercise  the  Gospel  Ministr}-  in  accordance 
with  his  own  sense  of  dut}'.  This  resolution  was 
not  made  without  a  struggle,  for  he  ardentl}'  loved 
his  native  land,  was  strongl}'  attached  to  his  numer- 
ous friends  there,  and  having  inherited  from  his  father 
large  real  estate,  his  departure  from  England  would 
involve  much  pecuniar^'  loss.  But,  in  spite  of  all 
that  opposed,  his  resolution  was  made,  and,  with  the 
clearest  conviction  that  he  was  following  the  ouidino; 
hand  of  Providence,  he  sailed  with  his  famil}'  and 
landed  in  Boston  in  the  summer  of  the  year  1686. 

Of  his  reception  in  this  countr}'  and  his  happy 
settlement  in  Bristol,  an  account  has  alread}'  been 
given. 

On  the  accession  of  William  to  the  throne  of 
England,  a  change  was  inaugurated  which  promised 
greater  tolerance  and  freedom  to  Dissenters.  The 
heart  of  Mr.  Lee  3'earned  for  his  native  land  and  the 
friends  of  former  days,  there  to  enjoy  what  a  few 
years  before  had  been  denied  him.  Accordingly,  to 
the  regret  of  all  who  knew  him,  not  only  here  but 
throughout  New  England,  he  decided  to  return. 
After  an  affectionate  parting  from  his  flock  in  Bristol, 


96 

he  embarked  with  his  family  on  board  the  "  Dolphin" 
at  Boston.  After  a  boisterous  voj^age,  nearing  the 
coast  of  Ireland  the}'  fell  in  with  a  French  Priva- 
teer, were  captured  and  carried  prisoners  into  the 
port  of  St.  Maloes,  in  France.  After  some  deten- 
tion, his  family  were  allowed  to  proceed  to  London, 
but  he  was  still  held  as  a  prisoner.  Depression  of 
spirits,  solitude  and  the  rigors  of  winter  induced  the 
prison  fever  which  soon  terminated  his  valuable  life 
in  December,  1691,  aged  sixty-four  years.  Being 
denounced  as  a  heretic,  his  body  was  interred  with- 
out the  walls  of  the  city.* 

Mysterious  are  the  ways  of  Providence.  Many  of 
the  Lord's  chosen  are  called  from  the  earth  in  the 
way  of  suffering  Mart3'rdom  ;  his  Church  are  left  to 
mourn  the  loss  of  these  precious  ones  of  their  num- 
ber. But,  doubtless,  heaven  opens  to  these  saints, 
with  joys  all  the  brighter  because  of  their  earthly 
tribulations,  and  in  the  triumphs  of  their  faith,  those 
left  behind  learn  important  lessons  of  trust  in  the 
darkest  hours,  and  are  animated  to  press  forward  in 
the  march  to  final  victor3\ 

The  Ministry  of  Mr.  Lee  in  Bristol  was  verj-  brief, 
though  remarkably  fruitful  in  good  results.  The 
Church  received  additions  constantl}',  and  there  had 
been  enrolled  in  its  fellowship  fort3'-eight  persons. 
The}^  continued  harmonious  in  all  their  church  re- 
lations, and  were    spiritually  profited   by  the  minis- 


*Sprague's  Annals.    Allen's  Biog.  Diet.     Dr.  Shepard's 
Hist.  Disc.  etc. 


97 

tr}'  of  their  beloved  pastor.  His  was  a  Catholic 
spirit.  His  learning  was  united  with  charity  and 
the  poor  were  often  relieved  by  his  bounty.  His 
toils,  says  tradition,  out  of  the  pulpit  in  visiting  the 
sick  and  afflicted  and  administering  the  consolations 
of  the  Gospel,  were  continuous  and  faithful ;  and  his 
preaching  was  sound,  able  and  eloquent.  The  fol- 
lowing passage  from  one  of  his  sermons,  preserved 
in  the  recollection  of  one  of  his  people,  has  been 
handed  down  to  the  present  day : 

*'  Every  breath  we  draw  should  go  forth  warm  with 
anthens;  the  blood's  circulation  should  nm  around  in 
liongs,  and  every  pulse  beat  upon  the  strings  of  David's 
harp.  The  wholesome  herb  should  cure  our  murmurs, 
and  all  the  creatures  of  earth,  air  and  water,  should  by  us 
render  a  tribute  of  praise  to  God." 

Mr.  Lee  kept  up  an  acquaintance  with  other  pas- 
tors, and  by  frequent  interchange  of  views,  strength- 
ened them  in  their  work  and  was  himself  strengthened 
in  his  work.  The  following  extracts  from  published 
letters,  show  how  fraternal  and  cordial  was  this 
ministerial  intercourse.* 

The  Rev.  Joshua  Moody,  then  associate  pastor  of 
the  first  Church  in  Boston,  in  a  letter  to  Increase 
Mather,  then  on  a  visit  to  England,  in   1688,  says  : 

*'  Mr.  Lee  is  in  Town  (tho'  going  out  to-morrow,)  Wee 
spent  the  2d  instant  in  your  study  &  had  his  compy  part  of 
the  day  with  us  where  wee  had  (blessed  be  God)  a  good 


*Mass.  Hist.  Coll.,  VHL,  4th  series,  355,  540,  542. 
9 


98 

day  of  Prayer  for  you  and  hope  in  God's  good  time  to  have 
in  the  same  place  a  day  of  Praise  with  you." 

The  following  extracts  from  letters  of  Mr.  Lee  to 
Mr.  Mather,  show  not  only  cordial  friendship  but 
his  interest  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  whole 
region  round  about  as  well  as  for  his  own  parish : 

"Aug.  25,  '87  Mount  Hope. 
Deare  Mr.  Mather.  *  *  *  i  am  compassed  with  va- 
rious humors  in  neighboring  towns  &  Islands,  but  blissed 
be  God  the  fogs  fly,  I  have  had  a  long  disceptation  I  cant 
call  a  disputation  with  a  stout  Anabaptist.  But  blessed  bo 
his  holy  name  they  give  ground.  I  am  invited  to  the 
Island  &  hope  next  week  to  see  it,  with  the  Lord's  leave  & 
try  what  work  may  enter.  I  want  strength  of  body.  I  am 
in  a  Frontire.  You  had  need  incourage  us  with  amunition 
&  auxiliaries  from  Heaven  &  to  begin  to  think  of  some 
learned,  holy,  discreel  man,  that  might  undertake  at  New- 
port. But  no  more  at  present.  My  hearty  love  to  your 
good  son,  to  my  ancient  loving  friend  Mr.  Allyn  &  to  my 
Beloved  Brethren  Mr.  Moody  &  Mr.  Willard,  intreating 
your  prayers  for  strength  every  way,  with  hearty  respects 
to  my  deare  sister  of  whose  Turkeys  I  have  so  often  lasted. 
Yours  aflectionately  in  the  Lord.    S.  L." 

"  8,  14,  87,  Mount  Hope. 
Deare  Mr.  Mather,— Methinks  its  very  comfortable  to 
see  your  hand  &  had  I  Dove's  wings  I  would  soone  see 
your  face  with  divine  permission  &  a  supply,  which  you 
can  more  easily  have  there.  My  good  ffriend  Mr.  Morton 
[Rev.  Chas.  Morton]  has  been  here.  I  thank  him,  but  he 
runs  up  &  down  here  from  place  to  place  &  suddenly  runs 
back.  That  truly  I  am  much  troubled  at.  Once  he  left 
me  among  the  bears  at  Cambridge  &  now  among  the 
spirituall  bears  in  Rhode  Island,  but  all  in  Love.     Yet  I 


99 

shall  hope  when  you  come,  you  will  give  mc  some  more  of 
your  company.  Theres  no  discoursing  under  a  bit  of  waxe ; 
but  meeting  at  Heaven's  gate  with  the  same  petitions, 
through  our  gracious  Redeemer.  I  found  great  respect 
from  the  Islanders,  as  Paul  speaks,  no  little  kindness  in 
Malta.  One  desired  mc  to  speak  for  a  young  scholar  or 
student  to  live  in  his  house  &  teach  his  children  \  a  man  of 
some  quality :  but  I  think  will  give  onel}^  dyet  at  present. 
If  any  good  ffriends  would  help  for  about  10  lbs.  a  y.  for 
clothes :  we  might  begin  some  work  there  I  hope.  I  have 
preaclit  once  there  to  a  few  with  kind  resentmt.  &  I 
took  occasion  by  the  Judges  going  in  there  &  would  fain 
have  p'suaded  Mr.  Morton ;  since  the  P'sident  told  him  he 
would  provide  for  his  place :  but  his  love  to  his  wife  & 
some  other  things  were  his  Apology  I'intend  to  give  him 
some  account  in  time  God  willing.  My  hearty  love  to 
your  good  son  &  acquaint  him  he  is  in  debt  a  letter  to  me. 
To  your  kind  wife  &  to  all  our  Brethren  in  the  Ministry  & 
in  the  Lord  my  wife  and  drs.  present  their  hearty  resp., 
especially  Anne  &  so  does  your  truly  Lov.  Br.  &  Serv't.  in 
the  Ld.    S.  L." 

The  following  to  Mr.  Mather,  on  the  eve  of  his 
departure  on  a  visit  to  England,  is  especially-  affec- 
tionate and  kind : 

"  Febr.  15,  8  7-8. 

Deare  Good  Mr.  Mather.  Your  hearty  letter  I  rec'd  as 
heartily  &  embraced  it  ulrisq  ulnis  &  in  inio  sulce  pectoris. 
I  am  glad  &  soiTy  of  your  motion  to  England  nostri  haec 
farratjolibelU.  I  doe  earnestly  desire  to  sit  up  one  night 
with  you.  3  things  hinder  as  yet.  A  supply  of  my  place 
which  if  you  or  our  f'ds  would  engage  Mr.  IMetcalf  or  Mr. 
Parry  to  come  for  2  or  3  sabbaths  I  should  endoavor  to 
come  to  you  toward  the  end  of  next  month  by  the  will  of 
God.    Another  is  I  expect  some  things  from  England  in 


100 


May  &  that  will  double  my  trouble  to  come  then  too. 
Another  is  the  difficulty  of  travell  to  me.  But  if  I  get  a 
supply  by  that  time  with  your  loving  help  &  some  of  our 
fifds  when  they  come  up  to  you,  since  my  house  is  as  farr 
from  being  put  in  equipage  now  as  in  Octob.  last ;  onely 
hopes  begin  to  spring.  There  be  many  things  uncommitta- 
ble  to  a  languid  scale,  which  I  remitt,  if  the  Lord  p'mitt,  to 
enjoymt.  I  am  shutt  off  into  an  Angle  from  your  com- 
pany ;  but  not  from  a  conversation  with  you  above  the 
circle  of  human  affairs.  In  haste,  longing  my  letter  should 
quickly  see  you,  subscribe  deliberately  Your  psvering  ffd 
&throu.  Grace  Br.,  S.  L." 

He  published  several  works,  among  which  was  a 
dissertation  on  "  The  Ancient  and  Successive  State 
of  the  Jews,  with  Scriptural  evidences  of  their  fu- 
ture conversion  and  establishment  in  their  own  land." 
This  was  in  1679,  and  was  as  able  and  ingenious  a 
work  in  advocacy  of  that  theory,  which  is  now  held 
by  but  few,  as  was  ever  published.  In  1810,  more 
than  thirty  years  afterwards,  Dr.  Buchanan,  in  a  ser- 
mon before  "  the  Jewish  Institution,"  a  benevolent 
society  in  England,  says, — "  It  is  possible  before  the 
end  of  the  present  year  the  four  gospels  will  be  pub- 
lished and  copies  sent  to  the  Jews  in  the  east,  as  the 
first  fruits  of  the  '  Jewish  Institution.'  It  is  very 
remarkable  that  this  should  be  the  very  year  which 
was  calculated  long  ago  by  a  learned  man,  as  that  in 
which  '  the  times  of  happiness  to  Israel '  should 
begin.  -In  the  year  1677,  Mr.  Samuel  Lee,  a  scholar 
of  enlarged  views,  who  had  studied  the  prophetical 
writings  with  great  attention,  published  a  small  vol- 
ume entitled  "  Israel  Redux  "  or  the  Restoration  of 


101 

Israel.  He  calculates  the  event  from  the  prophecies 
of  Daniel,  and  commences  the  great  period  of  1260 
years  from  A.  D.  476,  which  brings  it  to  1736.  He 
then  adds  : 

'After  the  great  conflicts  with  the  papal  powers  in  the 
west  will  begin  the  stirs  and  commotions  about  the  Jews 
and  Israel  in  the  East.  If  then  to  1739  we  add  30  more 
they  reach  to  1766 ;  but  the  times  of  perplexity  are  deter- 
mined by  Daniel  to  last  45  years  longer.  If  then  we  con- 
join those  45  years  more  to  1766  it  produces  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  andeleven— 1811— for  those  times  of  happi- 
ness to  Israel.'  " 

His  other  published  works  were  "  The  Jo}^  of 
Faith,"  in  1689  ;  a  sermon  preached  before  the  Court 
of  Bristol,  entitled  "  The  great  dsij  of  Judgment," 
in  1691.  "The  triumph  of  Merc}^,"  much  read  in 
New  England,  an  edition  of  which  was  printed  in 
1718  ;  and  "  Contemplations  on  Mortality,"  respect- 
ing which  Dr.  Allen  says,  "  they  display  great  learn- 
ins:  and  o-enius :"  Besides  these,  there  were  other 
sermons  and  smaller  works,  in  all  some  ten  or 
twelve  volumes. 

He  devoted  great  attention  at  one  period  to  the 
study  of  Astrology,  but  afterwards  testified  his  dis- 
approbation of  it,  by  burning  his  collection  of  books 
relating  to  the  subject,  a  hundred  volumes. 

As  a  specimen  of  his  style  and  exuberance  of 
thought,  we  give  the  following  extract  from  his 
"Triumph  of  Mercy,"  p.  27  &  foil. 

"The  Rainbow  of  the  Heavens  knows  not  more  rare 
and  delightful  colours  than  the  rainbow  of  the  Covenant, 


102 


under  which  our  Saviour  hath  placed  his  Throne.  The 
beauty  of  a  picture  shines  in  variety :  which  sets  such  a 
delicious  and  pleasant  lustre  upon  prospects  and  land- 
scapes, where  hills  and  dales,  woods  and  plains,  rivers 
and  seas,  castles  and  cities,  and  the  carcases  of  ancient 
ruins  and  hanging  rocks  are  curiously  drawn  by  the  Pencil 
of  nature.  ****** 

God  seldom  delivers  in  the  same  methods.  There  was 
never  the  same  face  of  Heaven  from  the  Creation  to  this 
day.  The  aspects,  clouds,  and  weather  do  always  vary,  as 
the  shells  on  the  seashore,  and  the  pebble  stones  none  ex- 
actly alike.  We  have  new  songs  fa-  every  moment  had 
we  hearts  to  tune  them.  When  God's  wisdom  takes  one 
mercy  away,  his  beneficent  bounty  sends  another.  When 
some  setting  stars  dip  their  flaming  rays  in  tlie  Western 
Ocean,  new  ones  glitter  in  the  east.  Never  did  the  same 
water  bubble  from  the  same  fountain  :  but  as  God  is  the 
inexhaustible  spring  of  new  and  amiable  mercies :  So  we 
find  he  adorns  the  out-rooms  of  the  world,  and  the  cham- 
bers of  the  Tabernacle  of  his  Church  with  the  Tapestry- 
hangings  of  the  curious  needle-work  of  his  Providence. 
Such  Wisdom  dwells  with  Prudence  and  finds  out  the 
knowledge  of  witty  inventions.  All  the  curiosities  of  Art 
and  the  cunning  devices  of  Artificers  are  from  God :  the 
swarthy  Plowman  derives  his  seasons  and  management  of 
his  lands,  tillage  and  culture  from  Heaven :  the  women 
that  sit  at  the  wheel,  turn  it  about  by  the  direction  of  God 
for  the  ornaments  of  the  Tabernacle :  The  weaver,  the 
embroiderer  and  the  ingenious  lapidary  learnt  all  in  the 
school  which  is  above  the  stars ;  the  most  admirable  of  all 
inventions  have  dropt  into  tlie  fancy  from  the  Celestial 
intelligence.  For  what  the  vain  unthinking  world  calls 
casualty  is  a  graft  upon  the  minds  of  men  cut  from  the 
trees  of  Paradise.  ***** 

And  shall  we  not  think  that  infinite  wisdom  cannot 
always   present  new   and  ravishing  wonders  of  mercies 


103 


upon  the  stage  from  him  who  is  unconceivable  in  Counsel 
and  as  admirable  in  working?  When  we  study  in  this 
Library  we  still  find  new  lines  and  new  editions;  we  sail 
upon  new  coasts  and  see  new  stars  as  in  the  Southern 
hemisphere,  and  enjoy  a  new  set  of  Creatures,  and  smell 
at  many  leagues  distant  fragrant  odoriferous  scents ;  as  of 
Cinnamon  from  the  mountains  of  Ceylon  in  India;  of 
Rosemary  from  Spain ;  Cedar  from  Lebanon,  that  p<?rfume 
the  very  thoughts  of  a  Saint;  and  the  further  we  travel, 
the  mf)re  delicious  are  the  surging  tops  of  the  hills  of 
Canaan!  And  the  more  we  taste  the  more  surprising 
sweetness  astonishes  our  Palates ;  like  the  Queen  pine  in 
Barbadoes  that  supplies  and  transcends  expectations  with 
new  and  rasive  favours  and  tunes  our  vocal  instruments 
for  new  songs  to  bear  a  part  with  the  Harmony  of  Angels 
forever," 

From  "  The  J03'  of  Faith,"  p.  6  and  foil,  we  give 
the  following  extract,  a  portion  of  an  argument  for 
the  worth  of  the  Scriptures  deduced  from  their 
*'  imperial  power  and  efficacy  on  the  souls  and  con- 
sciences of  men :" 

"  Let  the  world  rage  in  storms  of  contradiction  and  like 
him  in  Laertius  afhrm  snow  to  be  black,  or  assert  the  sun 
shines  not  when  I  see  it,  or  a  cordial  comforts  not  when  I 
feel  it  or  that  a  troubled  conscience  is  but  a  melancholy 
fancy,  when  the  terrors  of  the  Lord  drink  up  the  spirits  of 
men.  These  should  be  sent  to  Antic^Ta  to  purge  with 
Hellebor  for  madness.  Pray,  what  energy  or  power  can 
be  in  a  printed  paper,  in  the  reading  of  a  chapter  where- 
with Austin  and  Junius  were  converted  from  sin  to  God, 
or  what  powerful  charm  in  hearing  a  mean  Preacher,  per- 
haps none  of  the  Learnedest,  like  the  blessed  Fishermen 
of  Galilee,  to  change  the  heart :  if  so  many  proud,  haughty 
and  rebellious  sinners  who  of  direful  persecutors  havp 


104 


sometimes  turned  tender  cherishers  and  protectors  of  the 
Chm'ch  of  God :  were  it  not  for  the  fire  of  the  Word  of  the 
Lord  hosts  that  melts  the  stone  of  the  heart  and  the  ham- 
mer of  that  Word  that  breaks  the  sturdy  Zauzummins  all 
to  powder ;  insomuch  that  bitter  scoffers  have  been  chanajed 
into  witty  Tertullians  and  turned  their  satires  into  pane- 
gyricks.     What  can  that  be  imagined  to  be  that  works  so 
strange  efiects  upon  whole  Nations  from  the  East  to  the 
Western-Indies,  whitened  the  Blackmoors,   civihzed  the 
hearts  of  Scythians  more  ragged  and   brutish  than  the 
Rocks  and  Hyrcanian  Tygers  that  gave  them  suck  and 
beautified  the  barbarously  painted  Britians  far  beyond  the 
oratory  of  the  Gaules.    It  could  be  no  other  power  than 
the  awful  dread  of  the  Divine  Majesty  and  the  melting 
sweetness  of  his  Mercy  concomitant  with  his  heavenly 
Word.    Wherefore  such  are  justly  to  be  suspected   for 
strangers  to  the  work  of  grace  like  Nicodemus  at  first, 
tho'  a  gi'eat  Doctor  in  Israel,  yet  a  great  dunce  in  the  ex- 
cellent point  of  the  New-Birth :  or  like  that  Doctor  at 
Oxford,  sometime  since,  that  searcht  the  dictionary  for  the 
word,  and  could  not  tell  what  to  make  of  it  because  he 
found  it  not  there.    I  say  we  may  greatly  fear  that  they 
never  felt  this  mighty  power  of  the  Spirit  of  God  to  change 
their  hearts  that  dare  talk  so  proudly  and  irreverently 
against  the  self-evidencing  power  of  the  holy  scriptures  on 
the  consciences  of  men :  when  the  Majesty  of  God  shines 
ten  thousand  times  brighter  in  the  meridian  of  that  book, 
than  the  sun  without  clouds  at  noonday  in  the  zenith  of 
Africa." 

His  sermon,  entitled  "  A  summons  or  warning  to 
the  Great  Day  of  Judgment,"  preached  "  at  the 
Assizes  at  Bristol,  in  N.  E.,  October  7,  1687,"  was 
a  pictorial  scene  of  soul-moving  terror  such  as 
few  could  hear  without  most  serious  thought.     The 


105 


text  was  from  Revelation  20  :  12  :  And  I  smc  the 
Dead.,  small  and  great.,  stand  before  God:  and.  the 
Books  icere  opened :  and  another  Book  was  opened 
ivhich  is  the  Book  of  Life:  and  the  Dead  ivere  judged 
out  of  those  things  which  ivere  written  in  the  Books., 
according  to  their  icorks.  The  sermon  closed  with 
the  following  words  of  exhortation. 

1.  *'  As  to  you  the  Worthy  and  Reverend  Judges  that  are 
to  sit  in  judgement  before  the  Lord  this  day:  I  shall  not 
enlarge  but  only  present  unto  you  w^hat  King  Jelioshaphat 
gave  in  charge  to  them  from  God,  when  he  set  them  about 
this  work,  City  by  City.  Take  heed  what  you  do,  for  ye  ■ 
judge  7iotfor  man  but  the  Lord  who  is  with  you  in  thejudg- 
tnent.  Wherefore  now  let  the  fear  of  the  Lord  be  upon  you. 
Take  heed  and  do  it :  for  there  is  no  iniquity  with  the  Lord 
our  God,  nor  respect  of  Persons,  nor  taking  of  gifts. 

2.  "To  you  that  are  the  People  and  auditors  this 
day  Count  it  a  great  mercy,  that  you  have  been  pre- 
served by  Restraining  or  Sanctifying  gi-ace,  not  to  stand  in 
the  place  of  the  nocent  and  so  to  become  obnoxious  to  the 
wholesom  laws  &  Righteous  judgment  of  the  Magistrate. 
Bless  God  for  that  singular  mercy :  If  it  were  not  for  the 
Magistracy,  ■  that  great  ordinance  of  God  in  the  world, 
mens  tongues  would  be  like  poisoned  arrows  shot  forth, 
speaking  deceit,  treating  their  neighbor  with  their  mouths 
peaceably,  and  laying  wait  in  their  hearts :  Some  such  Sons 
of  Belial  there  are  that  a  man  cannot  speak  to  them,  they 
are  so  surly  and  interrupting  &  ought  to  be  thurst  away 
like  thorns :  if  a  man  touch  them  he  must  be  fenced  with 
iron  &  the  staff  of  a  spear.  Men  would  prove  wolves  and 
vipers;  tigers  and  dragons  mixt  in  one  and  the  same  per- 
son to  each  other.  O  bless  God  for  this  great  gift  of  Princes 
and  Judges  to  rule  the  wicked  and  enormous  world  and  to 
sway  the  scepter  of  righteousness  in  the  earth.     O  Remem- 


106 


ber  to  speak  honorably  of  Rulers  and  dignities ;  for  they 
are  Ordained  of  God  for  the  praise  of  them  that  do  well ; 
and  God's  Ministers  and  Avengers  npon  tliem  that  do  evil. 
Were  it  not  for  them  snch  as  are  now  but  secret,  malacioiis 
backbiters  would  soon  prove  badgers  and  bite  through  the 
bone  to  the  very  heart.  Have  then  a  special  care  of  two 
originating  sins  that  lead  to  many  foul  enormities,  that  is 
pride  and  envy :  First  in  yourselves  that  you  be  not  tempted 
thereby  to  hurt  others :  and  Secondly  in  others  that  you  do 
not  hurt  them.  For  wherever  you  see  manifest  signatures 
and  tokens  of  these  sins,  lurking  or  putting  out  their  forked 
tongues  against  others;  beware  of  them,  they  are  persons 
marked  of  God.  And  always  have  engraven  upon  your 
breast  that  famous  emblem  of  a  righteous  man.  Do  as 
you  would  be  done  by :  Tis  our  Lord's  most  Golden  Rule 
of  Equity :  Then  judge  yourselves  before  God  as  to  all  in- 
firmities, and  otherwise  insuperable  weakness :  then  fear 
not  man's  day :  having  presented  yourselves  by  Faith  as 
clothed  with  the  Righteousness  of  Christ  and  in  some 
sweet  measure  prepared  for  that  solemn  appearance  at 
His  Tribunal. 

3.  *'  A  word  or  two  also  to  the  poor  guilty  person  which 
has  murdered  her  own  unlawful  infant,  and  so  I  con- 
clude. As  for  thee  poor  Creature.  What  wjis  it  that  in- 
ticed,  intangled,  inflamed  thee  to  the  commission  of  these 
sins  against  che  laws  of  God,  the  light  of  nature  and  the 
just  laws  of  the  land.  I  understand  thus  much  from  thee 
in  the  prison ;  that  thy  parents  were  very  negligent  of  thy 
education,  and  so  becamest  a  great  neglecter  of  Sabbaths 
and  sermons,  and  then  fellest  into  the  fellowship  of  lewd 
companions,  which  may  be  a  just  warning  to  all  others. 
All  that  I  shall  say  at  present :  because  of  the  great  Sor- 
row, remorse  &  Repentance  which  thou  hast  manifested 
before  many  witnesses,  and  1  hope  may  prove  sincere :  If 
thou  fleest  from  the  horror,  stain  and  shame  of  these  thy 
crying  sins  unto  the  most  precious  blood  in  » Jesus  Christ; 


107 


and  layest  hold  upon  it  with  a  true  tliough  but  a  weak 
faith :  thou  hast  patterns  of  mercy  in  the  blessed  book  of 
God :  Manassah,  Mary  Magdalen,  and  the  Thief  upon  the 
Cross  to  dispell  their  black  and  dismal  cloud  of  despair : 
and  to  lead  and  incourage  thee  to  hope  in  His  Mercy.  To 
which  I  humbly  and  heartily  commend  thee  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  the  Lord  both  of  Dead  and  Living.    Ainen." 

Mr.  Lee  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  learned 
and  pious  men  of  his  day,  and  was  called  "  the  light 
of  both  Euglands  "  and  "  the  head  and  glor}'  of  the 
Church  of  Bristol."  Cotton  Mather  said  of  him 
that  "  if  learning  ever  merited  a  statue,  this  great 
man  has  as  rich  an  one  due  him  as  can  be  erected  ; 
for  it  must  be  granted  that  hardly  ever  a  more  uni- 
versall}'  learned  person  trod  the  American  Strand." 

THE    MINISTRY    LANDS. 

The  Proprietors  of  Bristol,  among  other  gifts  for 
the  benefit  of  the  town,  gave  certain  tracts  of  land 
"  for  the  encouragement  and  use  of  an  able  Gospel 
Ministry,  which  land  shall  remain  forever  and  be  for 
the  use  of  the  Ministrj^  for  the  time  being,"  viz. : 
One  lot  on  the  corner  of  High  and  Bradford  streets 
containing  two  acres,  the  site  of  our  present  Chapel 
and  Church  edifices ;  one  twelve  acre  lot  west  of 
''  the  Commonage ;"  and  one  one  hundred  and 
fiftieth  part  of  "  the  Commonage."  These  lands 
were  designated  as    "  the  Ministr}^  Lands." 

To  these  lands   others  were   subsequentlj'  added, 

the  gift   of  individual  citizens,  viz. :  A  twelfth  part 

of  sixteen    and   one-half  acres,   then   improved  by 

Madame  Dorothy  Paine,  after  her   decease,  by  Will 

10 


108 


of  Charles  Church,  Esq.,  dated  1746,  November 
29th ;  A  lot  on  the  Neck  containing  ten  acres,  by 
Will  of  Samuel  Viall,  Esq.,  dated  1756,  May  3d; 
A  lot  on  the  Neck  containing  about  five  acres,  by  Will 
of  Joseph  Reynolds,  Esq.,  dated  1757,  February  16th. 

In  the  original  gift  by  the  Proprietors,  the  Denomi- 
nation for  whose  benefit  lands  were  given  was  not 
designated,  as  only  one  Church  was  then  contempla- 
ted, and  it  was  obviously  intended  that  these  lands 
should  be  for  the  benefit  of  this  Church.*  But  the 
donors  of  the  additional  lands  were  careful  to  state 
that  they  were  "  for  and  towards  the  support  of  the 
Gospel  Ministry  in  the  Presbyterian  or  Congrega- 
tional way  and  for  no  other  use  or  purpose  whatsoever*" 

The  lands  thus  generously  given  by  the  founders 
and  earl}^  members  of  the  Church  have  aided  very 
materially  in  the  support  of  the  Gospel  Ministr}^ 
The}'  are  for  the  most  part  leased  for  periods  of  ta- 
rious  lengths  of  time,  and  the  rents  appropriated  in 
accordance  with  the  will  of  the  donors. 


*Respecting  the  intention  of  the  donors  of  the  original 
Ministry  lands,  we  have  written  evidence  of  decisive  char- 
acter. On  the  30th  of  March,  1724,  Nathaniel  Byfield^ 
one  of  the  four  Proprietors,  gave  to  Nathaniel  Cotton, 
then  pastor  of  this  Church,  about  six  and  a  half  acres  of 
land.  In  the  deed  conveying  this  gift,  Mr.  Byfield  refers 
to  the  original  deed  of  Ministry  lands,  and  says,  they  were 
"  intended  to  be  for  the  Ministry  of  the  holy  Gospel  as 
practiced  generally  in  the  Churches  of  Christ  in  Nevv^ 
England,  which  I  understand  to  be  Presbyterian  and  Con- 
gregational,  which  was  the  design  of  the  four  first  proprie^ 
tors  of  the  lands  of  Mount  Hope.'''' 


109 


II. 
THE  BUILDING  GOING  FORWARD.-1691-1718. 

EFFORTS    TO    OBTAIN    A    PASTOR. 

After  the  departure  of  Mr.  Lee,  measures  were 
prompth'  taken  to  obtain  a  successor  in  the  Pastoral 
Office.  Consultation  with  the  Eklers  in  Boston  led 
to  the  introduction  of  Mr.  Leverett,  of  Harvard 
College,  as  a  candidate  for  settlement,  and  on  the 
twenty-ninth  of  Jul}',  1G91,  with  heart}'  unanimit}', 
a  call  was  voted.  He  declined,  "  because  his  obli- 
gations to  the  College  would  not  admit  of  a  present 
acceptance."  The  call  was  renewed,  with  the  prom- 
ise of  waiting  until  the  Spring  or  Summer,  "  earn- 
estl}'  desiring  that  he  would  continue  to  suppl}'  the 
pulpit  meanwhile."  He  continued  to  supph'  until 
August  following,  when,  on  being  pressed  for  a 
definite  answer  to  the  call,  he  gave  a  negative  repl}', 
and  negotiations  with  him  ceased. 

After  this  the  Pulpit  was  supplied  b}'  various 
Ministers  in  succession,  fifteen  shillings  weekl}' 
being  paid  for  the  service  until  1693,  Juh'  24th, 
when  a  call  was  voted  to  the  Rev.  John  Sparhawk, 
with  a  j'earl}'  salary-  of  sixt}' pounds  ;  "  five  pounds  a 
year  additional  for  firewood,  and,  after  he  has  a 
famil}',  ten  pounds  a  year  for  firewood  and  the  im- 
provement of  the  Ministry  lands."     The  call  was 


110 


accepted,  and  he  began  his  labors  October  6th  fol- 
lowing. He  continued  on  trial  a  3"ear  when  the 
following  vote  was  adopted  b}^  the  town  : 

"  We,  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Bristol,  being  met 
together  this  19th  day  of  September,  1694,  do,  for  the  main- 
taining of  the  Pu])lic  Worship  of  God  amongst  ns,  and  for 
the  Love  and  Hononr  we  bear  to  the  Rev'd  John  Spar- 
hawk,  and  hopes  of  speedy  settlement  by  him,  and  for  tlie 
putting  a  full  and  final  stop  to  any  further  discourse  re- 
lating to  the  Strangers'  Contribution  as  an  overplus  to  the 
Minister  (here  with  us,)  do  agree  upon  the  considerations 
abovesaid,  and  do  hereby  promise  to  pay  to  the  said  Mr. 
Sparhawk,  by  weekly  contribution  or  otherways,  within 
the  year  the  sum  of  70  pounds  per  annum  whilst  he  re- 
mains a  single  man,  and  80  pounds  for  the  year  when 
he  comes  to  keep  a  femily,  and  this  we  promise  during  his 
continuance  in  the  work  of  the  Ministry  with  us." 

With  cordial  unanimity  he  was  duly  installed  the 
second  Pastor  of  the  Church,  on  the  twelfth  of  June, 
1695,  nearly  four  years  after  their  sore  bereavement 
in  the  death  of  Mr.  Lee. 

JOHN    SPARHAWK. SECOND    PASTOR. 

Mr.  Sparhawk  was  born  in  1672,  and  graduated 
at  Harvard  College  in  1689,  at  the  youthful  age  of 
seventeen  years.  Respecting  his  ancestry  we  have 
no  definite  information. 

Not  long  after  his  settlement  in  Bristol,  he  mar- 
ried Priscilla ,  and  lived  in  a  house  on  State 

street,  north  of  the  Common,  on  or  near  the  spot 
where  now  stands  the  house  of  P.  Hammel,  Esq. 
They  had  two  children,  John  and  Nathaniel,  born 
in  1713  and  1715.     The  fii'st  graduated  at  Harvard 


Ill 


College  in  1733,  was  ordained  at  Salem,  Mass.,  1736, 
December  8th,  and  died  1755,  April  30th,  in  the 
fort3'-second  3'ear  of  his  age. 

He  died  1718,  April  29th,  in  the  twent3'-third  3'ear 
of  his  Ministry-,  aged  fortj'-six  3'ears,  and  was  buried 
with  the  tender  laments  of  his  people  in  the  cerae- 
ter3^  on  the  Common,  near  the  Sanctuar3',  where  he 
had  faithfall3'  held  forth  the  word  of  life,  being 
borne  to  his  resting  place,  from  his  house,  on  the 
shoulders  of  the  office  bearers  in  the  Church.  His 
widow  survived  man3^  3'ears  and  continued  to  reside 
here  till  her  death. 

The  name  of  Mr.  Sparhawk,  as  testified  b3'  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Burt,  twent3^  3xars  after  his  decease,  "  re- 
mained exceedingl3'  dear  and  precious  to  his  people." 
He  was  a  good  preacher,  and  a  faithful,  judicious 
pastor.  Though  not  so  celebrated  as  his  predecessor, 
and  doubtless  a  less  learned  man,  he  did  his  work 
w^ell,  and  fell  at  his  post  his  harness  on,  being  Galled 
b3^  the  Master  up  higher.  The  records  show  that 
during  his  Ministr3^  one  hundred  and  two  persons 
were  added  to  the  membership  of  the  Church,  man3' 
others  "  owned  the  Covenant,"  and  three  hundred 
and  sevent3'-six  children  and  adults  were  baptized. 

Over  his  grave  his  afflicted  ^'people   erected  a  me- 
morial stoue  with  the  following  brief  inscription  : 

"Here  Lyeth  Interred 

YE  Body  of  ye 

Reverend  MR.  JOHN  SPARHAWK, 

Minister  of  this  Place  23  Years  Last  Past. 

Dyed    ye   29th    of  Aprill,    1718, 

IN   YE  46th   year  of    HIS  AGE." 


112 

III. 
STORM  AND  PERIL.— 1718-1740. 

THE  MCSPARRAN  DIFFICULTIES. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Sparhawk,  there  was  no 
settled  Pastor  for  nearly  four  years.  A  call  was  ex- 
tended to  the  Rev.  Samuel  Checkley,  who  was 
afterwards  the  first  Pastor  of  the  New  South  Church 
in  Boston,  but  he  declined  it.  A  call  was  next  voted 
to  James  McSparran,  a  young  man  who  had  recentl}' 
arrived  in  this  countr}^  from  the  north  of  Ireland  as 
a  Licentiate  of  the  Presbyter}'  in  Scotland. 

*'  Ye  choice  of  this  McSparran,"  says  Mr.  Burt,  "  opened 
a  door  to  all  manner  of  confusion  and  disorder.  Several 
scandalous  immoralities  were  soon  after  reported  of  him. 
Dr.  Mather,  of  Boston,  and  other  Ministers,  wrote  to  ye 
Church  by  no  means  to  settle  him.  But  ye  affections  of 
many  towards  him  for  his  excellent  oratory  rendered  them 
slow  to  believe  anything  to  his  disadvantage.  Whilst 
others  were  as  implacably  set  against  him.  Two  days 
were  set  apart  for  his  ordination,  but  ye  Ministers  sent  for 
would  not  lay  hands  on  such  a  man  to  separate  him  to  ye 
work  of  ye  Ministry.  But  he,  being  fond  of  a  settlement 
and  hoping  to  prevail  with  ye  Church,  offer'd  to  submit  to 
a  lay  ordination.  Not  long  after  this  it  was  suspected  & 
yl  suspicion  was  so  violent  yt,  it  amounted  to  little  short 
of  proof  yt.  his  credentials  from  ye  Presbytery  in  Scotland 
were  a  counterfeit  and  a  forgery  upon  wh  his  opposers 
were  more  implacably  set  against  him.  October  ye  13, 
1719,   ye  Church  met  at  ye  motion   and  desire  of  Mr, 


113 

McSparmn  to  consider  whether  they  ought  to  give  him  a 
Dismission  or  otherwise  permit  him  to  go  to  Scotlnnd  as 
ye  Minister  there  to  clear  up  his  character  and  to  return 
again.  But  after  considerable  debate  his  dismission  was 
voted  ye  Church  being  unwilling  to  be  under  a  promise  of 
staying  for  his  Return." 

It  appears  from  the  official  records  that  the  Church 
voted,  on  the  16th  of  December,  1718,  tq  call  him 
to  the  Pastoral  office  ;  on  the  22d  of  December  fol- 
lowing, the  town,  b}^  a  vote  of  seventy  to  three,  con- 
curred in  the  Church's  choice  ;  on  the  19th  of  April 
following,  arrangements  were  made  to  call  a  Council 
for  his  ordination.  There  is  no  official  record  of  the 
doings  of  Council.  On  the  25th  of  May  following, 
the  town  adopted  this  minute  : 

"Tlie  accounts  lately  received  from  Barnstable  and 
Plymouth  in  favor  of  the  Rev'd  Mr.  James  McSparran 
being  read  in  publick  Town  Meeting  together  with  our 
own  experience  of  his  good  conversation  during  his  abode 
in  this  Town  and  his  humble  Christian  deportment  under 
the  present  afflictive  Providence,  with  his  ready  acknow- 
ledgement of  his  ungaurded  conversation  in  times  past, 
with  his  earnest  desire  under  his  hand  which  hath  been 
now  read  to  be  reconciled  to  the  Church  of  Christ,  demand 
our  Christian  compassion  in  the  exercise  of  that  fervent 
charity  which  covers  the  multitude  of  sins.  We  do  in 
duty,  as  well  as  affection,  declare  our  hearty  forgiveness  of 
all  his  past  miscarriages  and  that  we  do  receive  him  as 
our  Brother  in  the  Lord,  humbly  depending  upon  the 
boundless  mercy  and  compassion  of  our  most  gracious 
God  through  the  merits  of  our  blessed  Redeemer  ye  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  for  pardon  and  acceptance.  We  most  earn- 
estly desire  that  all  Christian  People  referring  to  this  our 


114 


dear  and  Rev'd  Brother,  Mr.  James  McSpaiTan,  would 
put  on  charity  which  is  the  bond  of  perfectness  and  all 
these  scandalous  Reports  that  have  been  spread  abroad 
will,  as  they  ought,  be  buried  in  oblivion." 

"  The  above  writing  being  distinctly  read  in  the  Town 
meeting,  and  people  being  asked  whether  they  had  any 
objection  against  it  or  any  part  of  it,  it  was  unanimously 
voted  in  ye  affirmative  as  the  mind  of  ye  town,  no  one 
objecting  after  ye  vote  was  called  except  Conll  Paine. 

Attest:  Samuel  Rowland,  Town  Clerk." 

The  way  now  seemed  clear  for  his  settlement  in 
regular  order.  According^,  arrangements  were 
made  to  call  a  Council  for  this  purpose  on  Thursday, 
October  22d,  following.  Before  this  day  arrived,  the 
new  report  of  forgery  of  credentials  broke  out  and 
threw  matters  into  worse  confusion  than  before. 
Without  waiting  for  the  meeting  of  Council  he  pro- 
posed to  withdraw  at  once  if  the  Church  and  tow^n 
would  give  him  an  honorable  dismission,  or  to  re- 
turn to  Scotland  and  obtain  confirmation  of  his  cre- 
dentials, if  they  would  grant  him  leave  of  absence. 
As  stated  by  Mr.  Burt,  the  Church  voted  his  dismis- 
sion, but  the  town  would  not  concur  in  this  action 
but  adopted  the  following  vote,  viz. : 

*^  Voted,  that  Leave  is  given  by  the  Town  to  Mr.  James^ 
McSparran,  our  present  Minister,  to  take  a  voyage  to 
Ireland,  in  order  to  procure  a  confirmation  of  his  creden- 
tials, the  truth  of  which  being  by  some  questioned :  and 
that  he  return  to  us  again  sometime  in  June  next  ensuing, 
and  proceed  in  ye  work  of  the  Ministry  with  us  if  he  pro- 
cure ye  confirmation  of  ye  aforesaid  credentials." 


115 

On  the  20th  of  June,  1720,  having  heard  nothing 
from  Mr.  McSparran,  the  Town  voted  to  extend  his 
leave  of  absence  to  the  16th  of  September  following. 
This  period  also  passed  without  his  return,  or  any 
report  from  him,  and  the  town  was  then  ready  to 
coopera*te  with  the  Cluirch  in  securing  another  Pas- 
tor. 

While  the  town  were  thus  patiently  waiting  for  their 
Minister's  return,  he  was  abroad  taking  Orders  in  the 
Church  of  England.  On  the  21st  of  August,  1720, 
he  was  admitted  to  Deacon's  Orders  by  the  Bishop 
of  London.  On  the  25th  of  September  following, 
he  was  ordained  to  the  Priesthood  by  the  Archbishop 
of  Canterbury.  On  the  23d  of  October  following,  he 
was  commissioned  b}'  the  Bishop  of  London  "  to 
discharge  the  Ministerial  Office  in  the  Province  of 
New  England  in  America."  Under  the  patronage  of 
"  the  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  For- 
eign Parts,"  he  came  back  commissioned  as  a  "  Mis- 
sionary to  Narragansett  in  New  England,  who  is  to 
officiate  as  opportunity  shall  offer  at  Bristol,  Free- 
town, Swanzey,  and  Little  Compton,  where  there  are 
many  people,  members  of  the  Chm-ch  of  England, 
destitute  of  a  Minister." 

DAY    OF    PRAYER    AND    CHOICE    OF    PASTOR. 

On  the  22d  of  September,  1720,  the  Church  set 
apart  the  1st  of  October  following  as  a  day  of  fast- 
ing and  prayer,  in  view  of  the  present  unhappy 
condition  of  affairs.  To  assist  in  the  services  of  the 
day  they  invited  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Thatcher,  of  Mil- 


116 


ton  ;  Danforth,  of  Freetown  ;  Wadsworth,  of  Boston  ; 
White,  of  Attleborough  ;  Fisher,  of  Dighton  ;  Billings, 
of  Little  Compton ;  and  Clapp,  of  Newport.  The 
day  was  one  of  great  spiritual  profit,  and  a  fitting 
preparation  for  choosing  and  settling  a  Pastor,  which 
was  not  long  after  accomplished. 

On  the  22d  of  December,  1720,  the  Centennial 
Anniversary  of  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrims  at  Ply- 
month,  the  Church,  by  nearly  an  unanimous  vote, 
chose  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Cotton  for  their  Pastor, 
and  on  the  23d  and  30th  of  January  following,  the 
town  "  by  a  very  considerable  majority  of  votes," 
gave  its  concurrence  and  proposed,  for  his  encourage- 
ment to  settle,  one  hundred  pounds ;  also,  one  hun- 
dred pounds  yearly  salary  beginning  with  the  1st 
of  January-,  and  the  Strangers'  Contribution.  Sub- 
sequently the  improvement  of  the  Ministry  lands 
was  added.  The  call  was  accepted,  and  on  the  31st 
of  August,  1721,  he  was  duly  ordained  the  third  in 
the  succession  of  Pastors  of  this  Ancient  Church. 
The  sermon  on  the  occasion  was  by  the  Rev.  Joseph 
Belcher,  of  Dedham. 

NATHANIEL    COTTON. THIRD    PASTOR. 

Mr.  Cotton  was  a  descendant  of  the  "distinguished 
John  Cotton  who  came  to  Boston  from  England  in 
1633,  who,  being  then  about  fort3'-eight  years  of  age, 
of  large  and  varied  experience,  and  eminent  for  his 
talents,  learning  and  piety,  was  soon  designated  and 
set  apart  as  Teacher  of  the  First  Church,  of  which  the 
Rev.  John  Wilson  was  Pastor,  whose  labors  were 


117 

attended  with  such  remarkable  blessing  that  during 
the  first  five  3'ears  a  greater  nunaber  were  admitted 
to  his  Chm-ch  than  to  all  the  other  Churches  in  the 
Colon}',  and  who  died  on  the  23d  of  December,  1652> 
in  the  sixt3--eighth  3'ear  of  his  age,  lamented  as  a 
public  loss  in  all  the  Churches  in  the  country. 

Ke  was  a  son  of  the  Rev.  Roland  Cotton,  of 
Sandwich,  Mass.,  born  in  1698,  graduated  at  Har- 
vard College  in  1717,  and  was  therefore  onl}'  twenty- 
three  3'ears  of  age  when  he  assumed  the  Pastoral 
OflSce  in  Bristol.  His  father  was  a  grandson  of  the 
Rev.  John  Cotton,  above  mentioned,  and  one  of 
several  Congregational  Ministers  whom  this  family 
produced,  all  of  whom  were  eminent  for  their  piet}^ 
and  usefulness.  His  3'ounger  brother,  Josi ah,  gradu- 
ated at  Harvard  in  1722,  and  was  ordained  Pastor 
of  the  Beneficient  Church  in  Providence,  1728,  Octo- 
ber 23d,  which  office  he  held  for  several  3'ears,  and 
was  afterwards  settled  at  Woburn,  Mass.,  and 
Sandown,  N.  H.,  and  died  1780,  Ma}-  27,  aged 
sevent3'-eight  3'ears. 

Not  long  after  his  settlement  he  married  the 
widow  of  Mr.  William  Sanford,  of  Newport,  and 
lived,  it  is  supposed,  in  the  house  on  State  street, 
which  had  b^en  previousl}^  occupied  b3'  Mr.  Spar- 
hawk,  and,  after  his  decease,  by  his  widow. 

His  Ministiy  was  continued  under  the  embarrass- 
ments which  grew  out  of  the  McSparran  difficulties 
^  until  his  strength  failed,  and  he  sank  to  an  early 
grave  1729,  Jul}^  3d,  in  the  thirt3'-first  3'ear  of  his 
age.     But,  though  troubled  and  brief,  his  Ministry 


118 

was  fruitful  in  good  results.  Man}'  were  added  to 
the  Church  on  Profession  of  Faith,  others  "  owned 
the  Covenant,"  and  over  a  hundred  children  and 
adults  were  baptized.  The  House  of  Worship  was 
also  thoroughly-  repaired  and  improved,  and  the  cour- 
age and  hope  of  the  church  failed  not. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Burt  says  of  him,  "  he  was  a  man 
of  singular  prudence,  of  admirable  patience,  and  for 
the  cause  of  Truth  and  Righteousness  he  was  as  bold 
as  a  lion,  and  his  name  continued  fresh  in  the  memories 
and  exceeding  dear  and  precious  to  his  people." 
He  made  his  grave  with  his  beloved  flock,  and  a 
Memorial  stone  was  erected  with  the  following  in- 
scription : 

Here  lies  the  remains  of 

The  rev.  MR.  NATHANIEL  COTTON,  M.  A., 

and  Pastor  of  ye  Church  in  this  Town. 

Born  at  Sandwich,  June  ye  16,  1698, 

2d  son  of  ye  late  Rev.  Mk.  Roland  Cotton, 

and  his  wife  Eliz.,  only  daughter  of  ye  Hon. 

Nathaniel  Sallonstall,  Esq.,  of  Haverhill. 

Took  his  degrees  at  H.  College  1717  and  1720. 

Ordained  here  Aug.  30,  1721. 

Married  ye  relect  of  Mk.  William  Sanford,  of  Newport, 

By  whom  he  had  4  sons  and  4  daughters. 

Died  here  July  3d,  1729, 

Greatly  Valued  and  Lamented. 


119 


BARNABAS    TAYLOR. FOURTH    PASTOR. 

Shortl}'  after  the  decease  of  Mr.  Cotton,  the 
Church  and  Town,  with  a  remarkable  degree  of 
unanimit}',  united  in  calling  the  Rev.  Barnabas -Tay- 
lor, voting  him  two  hundred  pounds  for  settle- 
ment, and  a  3'early  salary  of  one  hundred  and  forty 
pounds,  together  with  the  use  or  income  of  the 
Ministry  lands  and  the  Strangers'  Contribution.  The 
call  was  accepted  and  he  was  duly  installed  the 
fourth  Pastor,  1729,  December  25th. 

There  are  no  Church  records  during  his  Ministry 
and  we  have  no  means  of  knowing  anv  fruits  of  his 
labors.  Mr.  Burt  says,  "  he  was  much  admired  at 
first;"  but  for  some  cause  respecting  which  the 
record  is  silent  he  failed  to  give  satisfaction,  and,  by 
the  advice  of  an  Ecclesiastical  Council,  was  dismissed 
1740,  June  3d. 
11 


120 

IV. 
PEACE  AND  PROSPERITY.— 1740-1775. 

JOHN    BURT. FIFTH    PASTOR. 

Very  soon  after  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Taj'^lor,  the 
Rev.  John  Burt  was  introduced  to  the  Church,  and 
began  to  preach  in  July,  1740,  as  a  candidate  for  settle- 
ment. On  the  1 7th  of  November  following,  he  was 
unanimously  chosen  to  the  Pastoral  office.  On  the  5th 
of  Januar}',  1741,  the  Town  voted  unanimousl}^  to  con- 
cur in  the  Church's  choice,  and  for  his  support  proposed 
a  j^early  salarj^  of  two  hundred  and  lift}'  pounds  in 
silver  money,  at  twent3-eight  shillings  per  ounce  or 
its  equivalent  in  paper  currenc}',  the  Strangers' 
Contribution,  and  the  improvement  of  the  Parson- 
age house  and  Ministry  lands.  The  call  was  accepted, 
and  on  the  13th  of  May,  1741,  he  was  duly  ordained 
and  installed  the  fifth  Pastor  by  a  Council  consisting 
of  the  Elders  and  Messengers  of  Churches  in  Boston, 
Newport,  Little  Compton,  Dighton,  Rehoboth,  Attle- 
borough  and  Providence.  The  sermon  on  the  occa- 
sion was  preached  by  himself,  from  2d  Cor.  v.  20. 
The  charge  to  the  Pastor  was  given  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Webb,  of  Boston,  who  was  the  Pastor  of  his  child- 
hood and  the  Instructor  of  his  riper  years.  The 
right  hand  of  fellowship  was  given  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Turner,  of  Rehoboth.  And  the  pra3^er  was  offered 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fisher,  of  Dighton,  the  Moderator 
of  the  Council. 


121 

Mr.  Burt  was  a  native  of  Boston  ;  born  1716, 
gi-aduated  at  Harvard  College,  173G,at  twenty  years 
of  age.  After  gradnartion  he  pursued  his  studies  for 
the  Ministry  under  the  direction  of  his  Pastor.  lie 
remained  in  the  Pastorate  to  the  day  of  his  death, 
1775,  October  7th,  in  the  thirt3'-fifth  year  of  his 
Ministry  and  the  fifty-ninth  year  of  his  age. 

His  house  was  on  Hope  street,  near  the  present 
mansion  of  Mrs.  Scott  Greene.  During  the  attack 
of  the  British  on  the  town,  1777,  May  25th,  this  was 
the  first  house  which  was  fired  and  destroj'ed. 

On  taking  charge  of  the  Church  he  gathered  what 
information  he  could  respecting  its  histor}'  and  pre- 
sent condition,  and  prefaced  an  account  to  a  book 
of  records  which  he  faithfully  kept  during  his  entire 
ministry,  and  for  neatness  of  copy  and  fullness  they 
are  much  in  advance  of  any  kept  by  his  predeces- 
sors. At  the  beginning  of  his  Ministry  seventj'-seven 
names  appear  on  his  record  as  being  at  that  time 
members  in  full  communion.  Additions  were  con- 
tinually made,  and,  at  his  death,  sixtj'-five  members 
had  been  received  to  full  communion,  one  hundred 
and  eighteen  others  had  "  owned  Covenant,"  and 
five  hundred  and  twent3'-six  children  and  adults 
had  been  baptized. 

His  Ministr}'  was  eminenth^  successful.  A  faith- 
ful, bold  and  earnest  preacher,  and  a  judicious  coun- 
sellor and  friend,  he  won  the  respect  of  all  classes, 
and  enjoyed,  in  a  marked  degree,  the  confidence  and 
affection  of  his  people.  This  period  was  emphati- 
cally one  of  peace  and   prosperity.     The   bitterness 


122 

of  the  McSparran  controversey  had  greatly  abated  ; 
measures  for  the  support  of  the  Gospel  were  adopted 
which  were  generally  satisfactory,  and  a  stead}^ 
devotion  to  the  cause  of  Christ  produced  its  fruits  of 
joy  and  harmon}^ 

In  1746,  by  Commissioners,  the  Town  of  Bristol, 
with  four  other  towns,  was  set  off  from  Massachusetts 
and  annexed  to  Rhode  Island.  As  by  the  funda- 
mental law  of  this  State,  the  support  of  religious 
institutions  could  only  be  b}^  voluntary  contribution, 
the  Church  could  no  longer  look  to  the  town  for  sup- 
port as  formerl}^,  but  must  rely  upon  its  own  special 
friends  and  helpers.  But,  previous  to  this,  an 
arrangement  w^as  made  with  the  town,  whereby  those 
who  chose  to  have  their  Ministry  taxes  go  towards 
the  support  of  the  Ministr}^  of  another  order  could 
do  so  by  properly  signifjdng  their  wish  to  the  town 
authorities. 

On  the  7th  of  October,  1775,  there  passed  away 
from  earth  this  Pastor  beloved.  Tenderl}"  was  his 
body  laid  awa}"  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  on  the  Com- 
mon, where  sleep  the  mortal  remains  of  Sparhawk 
and  Cotton,  and  as  a  tribute  to  his  memory  a  tablet 
witt  the  following  inscription  was  erected  by  his 
mourning  people  : 


123 

S:icr(?d  to  the  IMemory 
of  the  REV.  JOHN  BURT,  A.  M., 

l)()rn  in  Boston,  educated  at  Harvard  University; 

Ordained  pastor  of  the  Congi-egalional  Church 

in  Bristol,  May  13,  A.  D.  1741. 

He  died  aged  59  on  the  7th  of  Oct.  1775, 

in  the  evening  of  the  ever  memorable 

Bombardment  of  this  Town 

by  a  British  Squadron. 

He  was  the  noble  advocate 

of  Civil  Liberty  and  relic/ioiis  Fi-eedom, 

and  a  faithful  Pastor  to  f lis  Flock. 

His  Parishioners 

from  a  sincere  respect 

for  his  many  virtues, 

and  a  just  veneration 

of  his  excellent  character 

have  erected  this  Monument 

to  his  Memory. 


124 
HALTING  OF  THE  WORK.— 1775-1785. 

THE    FLOCK    SCATTERED  « WITHOUT    A    SHEPHERD. 

In  1775,  Bristol  was  a  flourishing  commercial 
town  witli  a  population  which  numbered  about  twelve 
hundred  and  fifty.  On  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revo- 
lutionary war,  the  town  took  prompt  measures  to 
perform  its  part  in  the  memorable  conflict,  and  its 
history  during  this  period  is  one  of  thrilling  interest. 
"  Some  time  during  the  summer,  a  British  squadron 
arrived  in  Newport,  and  lay  there  until  the  7th  of 
October,  on  the  morning  of  which  day  an  express 
arrived  here  with  the  news  that  the  squadron  was 
getting  under  weigh  at  Newport,  with  the  intention 
of  sailing  to  Bristol.  This  news  caused  much  alarm 
and  confusion  throughout  the  town.  The  day  of  the 
occurrence  was  unusually  pleasant.  About  three 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  squadron,  consisting  of 
three  ships  of  war,  named  the  Rose,  the  Gaspee, 
and  the  Eskew,  with  a  bomb  brig  and  a  schooner, 
was  seen  standing  up  the  bay  in  full  sail,  with  a  gen- 
tle breeze  to  the  south.  Shortly  after  sunset  they 
were  anchored  in  our  harbor,  making  a  displa}^  such 
as  never  was  seen  here  before  or  since.  Wallace,  in 
the  Rose,  took  the  lead,  run  up  and  anchored  within  a 
cable's  length  of  Market  wharf.  The  Gaspee  next 
came  up  and  anchored   about  a  cable's  length  to  the 


125 


south.  The  other  attempting  to  go  farther  south 
grounded  on  the  middle  ground.  The  schooner  ran 
up  and  anchored  opposite  the  bridge.  At  eight 
o'clock  a  ro3'al  salute  was  fired  from  the  flag  ship. 
Short!}'  after  the  salute  a  barge  left  the  flag  ship, 
and  was  pulled  in  to  the  wharf  where  a  large  number 
of  the  citizens  were  congregated.  The  commanding 
officer  having  stepped  upon  the  wharf,  communicated 
the  fact  that  Captain  James  Wallace,  commander  of 
the  squadron,  had  sent  him  with  a  demand  for  forty 
sheep  and  a  pair  of  oxen  ;  and  if  the}'  were  refused 
he  should  fire  upon  the  town.  The  Town  Council 
were  immediatel}-  called  together,  and  the  demand 
of  the  British  was  daid  before  them.  After  some 
discussion  upon  the  subject  the  Council  decided  that 
the  demand  was  unreasonable,  and  that  the}'  would 
not  comply  with  it.  'Is  this  your  final  answer?' 
asked  the  commander.  '  Yes,  yes,'  shouted  many 
unfaltering  voices  in  reply.  The  officer  immediately 
jumped  into  the  barge  and  pulled  towards  the  shij). 
In  a  short  time  after  the  barge  returned,  the  report 
of  a  cannon,  fired  from  the  flag  ship,  was  heard.  The 
other  ships  then  commenced  firing  upon  the  town, 
and  the  flashes  of  the  cannon,  the  whistling  of  the 
balls  through  the  air,  the  bursting  of  bombs,  was  a 
scene  terrible  in  the  extreme.  The  bomb  brig  threw 
carcasses  (machines  made  of  iron  hoops  and  filled 
with  all  manner  of  combustibles)  to  set  fire  to  the 
town.  They  were  thrown  up  nearly  perpendicular, 
with  a  tremendous  tail  to  them,  and  when  they  fell 
to  the  ground  they  blazed  up  several  yards  high." 


126 


"■  Horror  and  dismay  were  depicted  on  ever^'  conn- 
tenauce,  women  and  children  crying  and  screaming 
were  seen  running  through  the  streets  in  every  direc- 
tion to  seek  some  place  of  safet}\  Many  of  them 
were  removed  to  the  farms  and  remote  parts  of  the 
town  while  the  balls  were  whistling  over  their  heads 
as  they  went.  The  firing  continued  for  about  an 
hour  when  a  citizen  standing  upon  a  point  of  land 
which  made  off  some  distance  in  the  harbor,  suc- 
ceeded in  hailing  the  commander  of  the  squadron, 
and  the  firing  was  suspended.  An  epidemic  was 
raging  in  town,  which  had  proved  fatal  in  many 
cases,  and  at  this  time  three  persons  la}^  dead  in  their 
dwellings,  while  the  remains  of  Governor  Bradford's 
wife  had  been  buried  but  the  day  before.  Letters 
were  sent  on  board  stating  these  facts  and  promising 
to  comply  with  the  demand  if  the}'  would  stop  firing. 
One  account  says  :  '  While  preparations  were  being 
made  to  send  the  sheep  on  board.  Captain  Martin,  of 
Seekonk,  arrived  with  a  compau}'  of  men  and  pro- 
tested they  should  not  be  sent.  Bringing  his  field 
pieces  upon  a  small  eminence  that  commanded  the 
ba}^,  he  commenced  firing  upon  the  enemy's  shipping. 
Opposed  thus  unexpectedly  and  placed  now  at  a  dis- 
advantage to  renew  the  contest,  the  ships  of  Wallace 
made  their  wa}'  back  to  Newport.'  But  from  the 
town  records  it  appears  that  the  town  paid  for  sheep 
furnished  by  citizens  and  delivered  to  Captain  Wal- 
lace ;  and  an  account  written  by  an  eye  witness  sa^'s, 
'  In  the  morning  we  returned  to  our  dwellings,  and  on 
coming  up  Main  stree    we  saw  the  British  squadron 


127 


standing  ont  of  the  harbor  bound  to  Newport.'  If 
Wallace  was  defeated  and  driven  out  by  Martin,  it 
could  not  have  been  until  the  next  morning." 

"It  is  wonderful  that  there  was  no  person  killed. 
There  were  many  hair  breadth  escapes  from  death. 
A  little  lad  three  and  one-half  years  old,  accompan}- 
ing  his  mother  in  flight,  a  cannon  ball  struck  the 
limb  of  a  tree  on  their  left  hand  which,  severed  from 
the  trunk,  fell  directl}^  at  their  side.  As  Governor 
Bradford,  who  in  the  name  of  the  town  refused  com- 
pliance with  the  demand  for  sheep  and  cattle,  was 
returning  to  his  house  through  his  garden,  as  he  was 
climbing  the  fence,  the  board  on  which  his  hand 
rested  was  knocked  from  his  grasp  b}'  a  cannon  ball. 
A  man  went  to  a  well  to  get  water  to  put  out  one  of 
the  "carcasses"  which  fell  near  his  house,  and  he 
had  scarcel}'  left  the  well  when  a  cannon  ball  struck 
the  curb  which  was  shattered  to  pieces." 

"  The  onl}'  person  who  died  during  this  attack  was 
the  Rev.  John  Burt,  who  was  afterwards  found  dead 
l3ing  on  his  face  on  a  hill  of  corn.  A  nine  pound 
shot  was  dug  from  the  earth  at  a  short  distance  from 
him,  and  in  an  exact  range  of  him  and  the  ship,  but 
no  marks  of  its  effects  w^ere  found  upon  his  bod}-. 
An  inquest  was  held  before  Daniel  Bradford,  Esq., 
coroner,  and  the  verdict  of  the  Jur}-  was,  that  '  he, 
being  for  sometime  past  sick  and  languid,  was  sur- 
prised b}'  a  cannonading  upon  the  town  of  Bristol, 
on  the  evening  before  his  heath,  abdicated  his  house, 
attended  b}^  nobody,  either  got  lost  and  bewildered, 
or  was  seized  by  some  sudden  fit  and  so  came  to  his 
death.' " 


128 


The  day  following  was  Sunday,  and  a  day  of  sol- 
emn sadness  to  the  people  who  gathered  in  the 
Sanctuary  and  learned  that  the  voice  of  their  beloved 
Pastor  was  hushed  in  death.  A  great  gloom  settled 
over  the  community,  and  many  hearts  bowed  to  God 
in  tearful  pra}  er. 

The  thoughts  of  the  people  were  now  chiefly  given 
up  to  the  war.  But  the  few  families  who  were  not 
driven  abroad  made  great  efforts  to  keep  the  pulpit 
supplied  during  most  of  this  gloom}^  period.  The 
following  ministers  officiated,  viz. :  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
Amasa  Leonard,  George  Morey,  Huntingdon  Por- 
ter, Joseph  Davis,  Allen  Olcott,  Eliphalit 
Porter,  Thomas  Roby,  Samuel  Shuttlesworth, 
Henry  Channing,  Asa  Piper,  and  Jude  Damon. 

On  the  25th  of  May,  1777,  the  town  received  the 
severest  blow  of  the  war.  In  the  morning  ^'-  about 
five  hundred  British  and  Hessian  troops,  under  the 
command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Campbell,  started 
from  Newport  in  a  ship  of  war.  Before  daylight 
they  anchored  about  half  a  mile  south  of  Peck's 
rocks,  on  the  west  side  of  Pappoosquaw.  The}"  immed- 
iately landed  and  marched  tllrough  Warren  to  the 
Kickamuit  river.  A  number  of  boats  belonging  to 
the  State  had  been  collected  here.  The  British 
heaped  these  boats  together  and  burnt  them.  They 
then  marched  back  to  Warren  where  they  took  a 
number  of  prisoners  and  burned  the  Baptist  Church, 
a  powder  magazine,  and  a  number  of  dwelling  houses. 
They  delayed  here  but  a  short  time,  as  the}^  feared 
an  attack   from   the  American  militia.     They  then 


129 


marched  dowu  the  main  road  to  Bristol,  plundering 
houses  and  taking  the  men  prisoners.  The  inhabi- 
tants of  Bristol  were  filled  with  consternation,  as  on 
account  of  the  special  enmit}-  of  tlfe  British  to  this 
town  they  had  ever}'  reason  to  expect  the  most  severe 
treatment.  At  this  time  a  regiment  of  militia,  com- 
manded b}^  Colonel  Gary,  and  a  company-  of  artiller}', 
Captain  Pearce,  were  stationed  in  the  town.  The 
militia  were  quartered  in  different  dwelling  houses 
on  Hope  street,  and  the  artillery  in  a  house  on  the 
corner  of  Hope  and  Burton  streets.  Word  was 
brought  to  the  commander  of  the  troops  that  a  large 
force  of  British  were  coming  down  the  main  road. 
Their  numbers  were  probabl}'  much  exaggerated.  As 
he  had  but  about  three  hundred  and  fift}'  men  he 
deemed  it  advisable  not  to  engage  with  the  British, 
and  accordingl}'  marched  his  men  out  of  town  to  the 
back  road.  The  artiller}^  company'  marched  up  Bur- 
ton street  to  Wood  street  and  there  halted." 

"  Meanwhile  the  British  entered  the  town.  The}' 
continued  to  make  all  the  men  prisoners,  but  re- 
frained from  injuring  the  houses  until  the}'  reached 
the  large  dwelling  house  where  the  Rev.  Mr.  Burt 
had  lived,  which  they  burnt  to  the  gi'ound.  The 
work  of  destruction  thus  commenced  soon  became 
general.  The  houses  in  which  the  troops  had  been 
quartered  were  all  burnt.  On  the  east  side  of  Hope 
street  all  the  houses  were  burnt,  from  Mr.  Burts'  to 
Byfield  street  except  the  Oxx  house.  On  the  west 
side  all  to  the  Episcopal  Chmxh,  which  was  also 
burnt.     The  square  below  the   Church  was  then  a 


130 


meadow,  unoccupied  with  buildings.  Eighteen 
dwellings  and  a  number  of  other  buildings  were  de- 
stroyed, and  between  thirty  and  forty  men  were 
taken  prisoners. "- 

"  As  soon  as  the  British  landed,  an  express  was 
sent  to  General  Sullivan  in  Providence,  intelligence 
reaching  him  about  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning.  By 
his  direction.  Colonel  Barton,  with  a  few  horsemen, 
started  for  Bristol.  The  regiment  which  had  marched 
to  the  back  road  returned  down  Mount  lane,  and 
passing  down  High  street  marched  in  pursuit  of  the 
British  who  were  then  crossing  Walker's  bridge.  As 
soon  as  the  enemy  made  their  appearance  the  artil- 
lery commenced  firing  upon  them,  and  pursued  them 
to  the  Feny,  firing  all  the  time.  By  the  blood  in  the 
road  it  was  supposed  that  a  considerable  number  of 
the  British  were  killed  or  wounded.  A  large  num- 
ber of  militia  now  poured  into  the  town,  but  they 
were  too  late  to  be  of  an}^  service.  The  ship  which 
brought  the  British  from  Newport,  after  having  sent 
a  boat  on  shore  and  taken  captive  Captain  Westcott 
and  nine  American  privates  who  were  on  Pappoo- 
squaw  got  under  weigh,  and  sailed  to  the  Ferry  for 
the  purpose  of  taking  off  the  British,  which  was  suc- 
cessfully accomplished." 

"  This  attack  of  the  British  left  the  town  in  a 
wretched  condition.  Nearly  every  house  on  the 
principal  street  was  reduced  to  ashes.  It  is  probable 
that  if  the  British  had  not  been  closely  pursued  they 
would  have  burnt  the  entire  town.  In  addition  to 
the  loss  of  their  houses,  the  inhabitants  were  obliged 


131 


to  endure  povert}-  and  want,  as  provisions  were 
scarce  and  prices  consequently  high.  A  large  num- 
ber of  soldiers  were  constantly  quartered  among 
them,  and  they  were  obliged  to  submit  to  all  the 
inconveniences  of  a  garrisoned  town.  They  were 
kept  in  a  state  of  continued  alarm,  and  their  slum- 
bers were  broken  nearl}^  ever3'  night.  The  fences 
were  all  torn  down  for  fuel,  and  the  land  for  nearly 
two  miles  out  of  town  laid  waste.  Many  of  the  in 
habitants  left  their  homes  taking  their  personal 
effects  with  them." 

Under  these  tr3ing  circumstances,  continued 
through  the  period  of  the  war,  it  could  hardly  be 
otherwise  that  Zion  should  languish,  and  the  work 
of  building  her  walls  halt  and  almost  cease.  But 
though  cast  down  she  was  not  destroj^ed.  Her  life, 
though  feeble,  still  breathed,  and  in  due  time  a 
brighter  da}'  dawned. 

The  foreo'oiuor  account  is  chieflv  condensed  from 
*' Annals  of  Bristol,"  a  series  of  papers  published  in 
"  The  Bristol  Phenix,  "  in  1845. 
12 


132 

YI. 
THE  WORK  RESUMED.— 1785-1812. 

THE    CATHOLIC    SOCIETY    ORGANIZED. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  as  soon  as  the  town  began 
to  rally  from  its  long  prostration,  the  friends  of  the 
Congregational  Church  took  measures  to  resume 
with  new  vigor  the  work  of  building  up  Zion. 
Some  of  the  leading  members  of  the  Congregation 
at  a  meeting,  1783,  March  31st,  opened  a  scheme  for 
a  fund,  "the  annual  interest  of  which  to  be  appro- 
priated for  the  support  of  an  Orthodox  Congrega- 
tional Minister."  At  a  meeting,  1784,  September 
6th,  it  was  voted  to  petition  the  General  Assembly 
for  an  Act  of  Incorporation. 

The  Charter  of  the  "  Catholic  Congregational 
Society,  of  Bristol,  R.  I.,"  was  granted  by  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  State,  1784,  October  4th,  "  for 
the  purpose  of  raising  a  fund  bN'  free  and  voluntary 
subscriptions,  contributions,  legacies  and  donations, 
for  the  support  of  public  worship  in  the  Congrega- 
tional Society  in  the  town  of  Bristol,  of  which  the 
Rev.  John  Burt  was  the  late  Pastor." 

By  the  terms  of  the  Charter  the  Society  were  re- 
stricted to  the  raising  of  mone^^s  for  the  purposes 
named  onh^,  "  by  free  and  voluntary  subscription, 
contribution,  legacy  or  donation."  And  if  ever 
there  shall  be  a  less  number  than  nine  members,  then 


133 

"  all  money's,  bonds,  mortgages,  deeds,  notes,  obliga- 
tions, books  and  papers  of  eveiy  kind,  together  with 
all  the  estate,  both  real  and  personal,  whatsoever 
at  that  time  belonging  to  the  said  Catholic  Society, 
shall  be  given  up  to  and  the  sole  propert}^  thereof  be 
vested  in  the  Congregational  Society  aforesaid,  for 
whose  use  and  benefit  the  said  Catholic  Society-  is 
instituted." 

This  Societ}^  have  continued  to  act  in  cooperation 
with  the  Church  to  the  present  day.  The  "  Ministr}- 
Lands,"  originally  entrusted  to  the  town,  naturally 
and  properly  fell  to  the  care  of  the  Catholic  Society, 
and  all  the  arrangements  for  the  support  of  the  Gos- 
pel Ministr}^  and  for  meeting  the  current  expenses  of 
the  Church  are  under  its  direction. 

ERECTION    OF    THE    SECOND    HOUSE    OF    WORSHIP. 

Soon  after  the  organization  of  the  Catholic  Societj^, 
measures  were  taken  for  the  erection  of  a  new^  house 
of  worship.  The  site  chosen  was  at  the  corner  of 
Hope  and  Bradford  streets.  The  house  was  raised, 
1784,  June  12th,  and  was  finished  and  dedicated  to 
Almighty  God,  1785,  January  5th,  the  day  of  the 
ordination  of  the  Rev.  Henry  Wight.  The  house 
was  of  the  st^ie  of  architecture  common  at  that 
period,  with  square  pews,  high  pulpit.  Deacon's  seat 
in  front,  and  sounding  board  overhead.  At  a  later 
period  it  was  thoroughly  renovated  in  the  interior  by 
substituting  for  the  square  pews  the  modern  style  of 
slips,  and  neatly  covering  the  walls  with  "  hard 
finish."     It  served  the  congregation  until  the  erection 


134 


of  the  present  house  in  1856,  when  it  was  given  to 
the  town,  who  removed  it  to  its  present  site,  on  the 
north  side  of  Bradford  street,  and  having  thoronglil}^ 
remodeled  the  interior,  with  but  little  change  in  the 
exterior,  have  since  used  it  for  Town  purposes. 

HENRY   WIGHT,    D.  D. SIXTH  PASTOR. 

The  Rev.  Henry  Wight,  born  iiiMedfield,  Mass., 
in  1753,  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1782, 
began  to  preach  here  1784,  March  14th,  and  being 
unanimousl}'  chosen  to  the  Pastoral  office  with  the 
hearty  concurrence  of  the  newly  formed  Catholic 
Society,  he  was  ordained  1785,  January  5th,  in  con- 
nection with  the  interesting  services  of  dedicating 
the  new  house  of  worship.  The  sermon  on  this 
occasion  was  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Prentiss,  Pastor 
of  the  Church  in  Medfield,  Mass.,  in  which  Mr. 
Wight  was  baptized  in  infanc}'  and  had  passed  his 
earl}^  3^ears,  from  the  text  2  Corinthians,  vi.  3,  4. 
The  ordaining  praj^er  and  charge  to  the  Pastor  were 
by  the  Rev.  Solomon  Townsend,  of  Barrington,  and 
the  Right-hand  of  Fellowship  by  the  Rev.  Robert 
RoGERSON,  of  Rehoboth,  Mass. 

Very  soon  after  the  installation  of  Mr.  Wight,  the 
list  of  Churcli  members  was  revised,  and  was  found 
to  contain  thirt3'-six  names  of  persons  then  living, 
of  whom  seven  were  males  and  twent^^-nine  were 
females.  On  the  21st  of  March,  1785,  the  custom  of 
"  owning  Covenant"  w^hich  had previousl}^  prevailed 
was  abolished  by  the  following  votes  : 


135 

"Voted,  that  the  half-way  Covenant  is  not  consistent 
with  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel,  and  a  liindrance  to  vital 
piety. 

"  Voted,  that  hereafter  this  Church  will  have  but  one 
Covenant  for  admission  of  members  to  the'r  body." 

Dr.  Wight  continued  in  the  sole  pastorate  of  the 
Church  until  1815,  November  13th,  when  the  Rev. 
Joel  Mann  was  ordained  as  Colleague  Pastor.     On 
the  11th  of  November,  1828,  at   his  own  request,  he 
was  dismissed  by  an  Ecclesiastical  Council,  but  con- 
tinued to  reside  among  his  people  to  the  da}'  of  his 
death,  in  August,  1837,  in  the  eighty-sixth  year  of 
his  age.     His  residence  was  at  the  corner  of  High 
and  Bradford  streets,   the   house  now  occupied  b}- 
"^Villiam  H.  Spooner,  Esq.     His  family  consisted    of 
several  sons  and  daughters,    who   grew   up  in  the 
Christian   faith,    and    adorned    the    stations    of  life 
which  they  were  called  to  fill.     The  eldest,  John  B. 
Wight,   was   ordained  Pastor  of  the  Congi-egational 
Church  in  East  Sudburj^  Mass.,  1815,  Januarj-  25th. 
The  sermon  on  the   occasion,   which  was  published 
with  the  other  parts  of  the  services  by  the   Church, 
was  from    Matthew  xxviii.  20,  by  the  Rev.  Joseph 
McKean,  LL.  D.,    Professor   in   Harvard    College. 
The  Charge  to  the  Pastor  was  by  his  father. 

From  1793  to  1833,  Dr.  Wight  was  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Fellows  of  Brown  University-,  and  in 
1811  received  from  thence  the  degree  of  Doctor  in 
Divinit3\ 

His  ministry,  continuing  for  nearly  half  a  century, 
longer  than  that  of  any  other  pastor,  was  character- 


136 


ized  by  Catholicity  in  intercourse  with  other  denomi- 
nations, and  an  amiability  of  spirit  and  fidelity  to 
his  convictions  of  right,  which  won  respect  and  con- 
fidence. He  took  an  active  interest  in  the  political 
questions  of  the  day,  and  did  not  hesitate  to  intro- 
duce topics  of  this  nature  in  his  pulpit  ministrations, 
which  offended  some  whose  views  differed  from  his 
and  led  to  their  withdrawal  from  the  Society.  He 
was  singularl}^  faithful  in  recording  all  the  votes  of 
the  Church,  and  even  the  informal  proceedings  of 
Conferences  and  Committee  meetings.  He  also  kept 
for  many  years  quite  a  full  record  of  current  events 
in  the  town,  particularly  of  marriages  and  deaths, 
and  this  book  has  alread}-  proved  to  be  of  invaluable 
worth  in  proving  titles  to  property  and  to  the  boun- 
ties and  pay  of  soldiers  and  others  who  died  in  the 
Governmental  service. 

During  the  sole  pastorate  of  Dr.  Wight,  there 
were  two  hundred  and  twent^'-eight  additions  to  the 
Church  membership,  and  a  large  number  of  children 
and  adults  were  baptized. 

His  memor}^  is  precious  to  the  aged  few  who  yet 
survive  to  recall  his  labors  in  the  days  of  his  strength. 
The  marks  of  his  influence  are  indelibly  traced  in 
the  character  of  the  communitj^ ;  and  in  the  great 
day  of  account  we  doubt  not  it  will  be  said  of  this 
man,  "  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant,  enter 
thou  into  the  jo}"  of  thy  Lord." 

His  mortal  remains  rest  in  the  Juniper  Hill  Ceme- 
tery, and  over  his  grave  is  erected  a  memorial  stone 
with  the  following  inscription  : 


137 

"The  Grave  of 

REV.  HEXRY  WIGHT,  D.  D., 

Born  in  MedfieJd,  Mass., 

May  26,  1752. 

Graduated 

at  Harvard  College,  1782: 

Settled  over  the  Cong.  Church 

in  this  place  Jan.  5,  1785, 

Deceased  Aug.  12, 1837, 

in  the  86th  year 

of  his  age, 

and  the  53d  of  his  ministi-y. 


Faithful  and  kind  in  the  duties 

of  his  sacred  office. 

Affectionate  and  tender 

in  the  relations  of  domestic  life, 

his  memory  is  precious 

to  his  surviving  kindred  and  people. 

With  long  life  was  he  satisfied 

and  his  end  was  peace. 


Remember  Hie  words  which  I  spake,  unto  you 
while  I  was  yet  present  with  you.'*'' 


138 


VII. 
THE  PERIOD  OF  REVIVALS.— 1812-1830. 

THE    REVIVAL    OF    1812. 

Revivals  of  Religion  of  remarkable  depth  and 
power  were  enjoj^ed  by  man}^  of  the  Churches  of  New 
England  during  the  earl}-  part  of  the  present  cen- 
tury. 

The  first  signal  awakening  of  this  description  in 
this  town  began  to  be  developed  in  the  summer  of 
1812,  and  was  promoted  through  the  united  efforts 
of  all  the  Churches  among  whom  there  prevailed  a 
delightful  harmon3\ 

The  Rev.  Isaac  Lewis,  D.  D.,  of  New  York,  as  he 
was  journeying  with  his  wife  for  her  health,  tarried 
for  a  night  in  Bristol.  Learning  of  the  interesting 
state  of  the  public  mind  on  the  subject  of  personal 
religion,  he  was  induced  to  remain  a  few  da3^s  to 
participate  in  the  good  work.  It  was  arranged  that 
he  should  preach  on  a  week  day  in  the  Congrega- 
tional house,  and  notice  of  the  service  was  circulated 
as  far  as  practicable.  As  the  hour  of  meeting  ap- 
proached the  people  en  masse  turned  from  their  shops, 
their  farms  and  their  homes,  and  flocked  to  the 
Sanctuar3\  An  air  of  solemnity  and  earnestness 
pervaded  the  crowded  assembl}'.  Even  those  who 
came  from  curiosity,  or  from  an  impulse  which  they 
could  hardl}^  define,  as  they  crossed  the  threshold  of 


139 


the  House  of  God,  were  deeph'  impressed  with  the 
thought  that  it  was  au  hour  of  supreme  importance 
to  them.  The  preacher  felt  the  inspiration  of  the 
occasion,  and  preached  from  the  text  "  Remember 
now  th}'  Creator  in  the  daj'S  of  th}*  3'outh,"  Eccles. 
xii.  1.  The  vast  audience  were  deepl}'  moved. 
Man}'  were  convicted  of  sin  and  a  number  then  and 
there  resolved  to  be  at  peace  with  God. 

From  this  time  the  Revival  progi'essed  in  depth 
and  power,  and  the  labors  of  Dr.  Lewis,  in  coopera- 
tion with  the  pastors,  were  greatly  blessed.  Many 
were  converted.  Persons  who  had  grown  old  in  sin, 
broken  hearted  turned  unto  the  Lord  and  received 
pardon.  Men  and  women  encompassed  by  the  cares 
of  this  world  and  eager I3"  pursuing  its  riches  were 
arrested  to  care  for  their  never-dying  souls  and  to 
obtain  the  enduring  riches  of  heaven.  Young  men 
and  maidens  in  the  vigor  of  their  strength  laid  their 
all  upon  the  altar  of  God  and  entered  upon  the 
Christian  service.  For  man}'  months  the  whole 
interest  of  the  people  was  absorbed  in  this  mighty 
work  of  the  Spirit,  and  the  incidents  connected  with 
it  remained  the  subject  of  delightful  and  thankful 
record  while  an}-  of  the  generation  lived  who  had 
been  made  partakers  of  it. 

The  influence  of  this  Revival  extended  to  other 
towns  and  Churches,  and  in  many  places  its  impres- 
sions were  indellible.  At  one  time,  a  part}-  of  3'oung 
men  from  west  of  the  Bay  came  in  a  boat  for  the 
express  purpose  of  having  a  "rollicking  time,"  and 
to  disturb  the   meetings.     The  Spirit  of  God  met 


140 

them  here  and  some  of  the  number  were  converted, 
returned  home  to  carry  the  good  influence  with  them, 
and  became  eminent!}'  devoted  Christians. 

All  the  Churches  in  Bristol  shared  in  this  glorious 
Revival.  The  venerable  Dr.  Griswold,  Rector  of 
St.  Michael's  Espiscopal  Church,  was  also  Bishop  of 
the  Diocese  which  then  embraced  all  the  New  Eng- 
land States.  Entering  cordially  into  the  work,  his 
influence  was  felt  not  onl}^  in  his  own  Church,  which, 
under  his  Ministry  and  the  holy  influence  that  per- 
vaded the  town,  glowed  with  large  results  of  the 
Divine  Blessing,  but  throughout  the  Diocese  giving 
new  character  and  life  to  many  of  the  Churches. 
Around  him  as  a  leader  and  example  gathered  the 
evangelical  elements  of  the  body,  and  from  his  Minis- 
try and  Episcopate,  the  distinguishing  sentiments  of 
the  Evangelical  party  received  their  organized  shape 
and  tone. 

Dr.  Wight,  the  pastor  of  this  Church,  being  ad- 
vanced in  life,  from  the  infirmities  of  age,  could  do 
but  little  beside  the  routine  work  of  his  calling. 
Under  these  circumstances  Dr.  Lewis  was  employed 
as  an  assistant  for  a  period  of  six  months,  and 
invited  to  settle  as  Colleague  Pastor.  This  he  de- 
clined, but  during  his  temporary  engagement  insti- 
tuted a  class  for  Doctrinal  instruction,  embracing 
over  a  hundred  persons,  chiefly  converts  of  the 
Revival  in  our  congregation.  The  class  met  weekly 
and  recited  lessons  from  the  Assembly's  Shorter 
Catechism.  These  were  accompanied  by  familiar 
but  elaborate  lectures  on  the   doctrines  of  the  Bible 


Ul 


By  this  means  Christians  were  rooted  and  grounded 
in  the  faith,  and  an  Evangelical  tone  teas  given  to  the 
Church  ichich  has  ever  since  characterized  it. 

The  fruits  of  this  gracious  Revival  Mere  remarka- 
bly permanent  and  abiding.  The  Sabbath  services 
Tvere  crowded  with  attendants.  The  congregations 
were  serious,  earnest,  and  engaged  in  worship.  The 
people  listened  to  the  faithful  preaching  of  the  Gospel 
with  unbroken  interest.  The  meetings  for  private 
worship  and  instruction  in  the  week  were  well 
attended.  A  religious  spirit  was  the  ver}^  atmos- 
phere of  the  place,  and  the  people  were  united, 
ready  and  earnest  in  every  good  work.  This  was 
the  immediate  fruit  and  influence  of  the  great  revival 
of  1812.  To  the  few  surviving  subjects  of  it,  the 
recollection  to  this  da}^  is  most  precious.  Their 
countenances  are  animated  with  jo}',  and  their  lips 
are  tremulous  with  grateful  emotion,  as  they  speak 
of  the  gracious  scenes  of  this  remarkable  awakening 
sixty  3xars  ago. 

JOEL    MANN. SEVENTH    PASTOK. 

The  great  revival  of  1812  and  its  results,  prepared 
the  wa}'  for  the  settlement  of  the  Rev.  Joel  Mann, 
the  Seventh  Pastor,  1815,  November  loth,  as  a 
Colleague  with  Dr.  Wight.  He  was  a  native  of 
Oxford,  N.  H.,  and  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College 
in  1812.  He  remained  in  the  Pastoral  office  until 
1826,  September  14th,  when^  at  his  request,  he  was 
dismissed  by  Ecclesiastical  Council,  and  was  after- 
wards settled  in  Kingston,  Greenwich,  Conn.,  and 
Salem,  Mass. 


142 

His  Ministry  was  eminently  successful,  and  was 
particularly  distinguished  for  the  institution  of  the 
Sabbath  School,  the  great  revival  of  1820,  and  the 
erection  of  "  the  Hall,"  accounts  of  which  are  given 
farther  on.  He  is  still  living  in  a  remarkabl}^  vigor- 
ous old  age  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  is  cordially 
received  by  his  friends  and  former  parishioners  on 
his  annual  visits  to  the  town. 

His  residence  here  was  on  Bradford  street,  a  few 
rods  east  from  the  present  Parsonage,  in  a  house 
recently  owned  and  occupied  by  Messadore  T. 
Bennett,  Esq.,  which  was  destroyed  by  fire  on  the 
4th  of  July,  1870. 

THE  SABBATH  SCHOOL  BEGUN. 

The  Sabbath  school  was  first  instituted  in  the 
town  of  Bristol  in  the  spring  of  1815.  Miss  Susan 
Wyatt,  associating  with  herself  three  others,  viz. : 
Miss  Mary  A.  Bourne,  Miss  Abby  Monroe,  and 
Miss  Wait}^  Sanford,  opened  a  school  on  Sunday 
afternoons  at  five  o'clock  in  the  school  room  of  her 
father,  Mr.  Stutely  Wyatt,  on  High  street.  This 
school  continued  in  successful  operation  until  the 
approach  of  winter  when  it  was  discontinued. 

The  following  3'ear^  1816,  Miss  Mary  T.  Borden 
(afterwards  Mrs.  Nathaniel  Gladding,)  opened  a 
school  in  the  south-west  basement  room  of  the  house 
on  Hope  street,  now  owned  and  occupied  by  James 
E.  French,  Esq.,  where  she  also  kept  a  da}^  school 
for  many  years.  Here  for  several  years  Miss  Bor- 
den, assisted  by  members  of  the  Church,  gave  Sab- 


143 

bath  iDstruction  to  the  young.  From  a  small  beginning 
the  school  grew  in  interest  and  importance  until  in 
1820,  June  26th,  the  Church,  b}^  a  formal  vote,  took 
the  school  under  its  own  charge,  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  conduct  its  affairs,  and  chose  teachers  for 
the  several  classes. 

From  this  time  to  the  present  the  school  has  been 
under  the  fostering  care  of  the  Church,  and  is  re- 
garded not  as  a  separate  institution  but  as  a  field  of 
labor  for  which  the  Church  is  responsible.  The 
Superintendent,  nominated  by  the  teachers,  is  elected 
by  the  Church  at  the  annual  meeting,  and  to  the 
Church  he  makes  an  annual  report  of  its  condition. 

Previous  to  1865,  the  school  was  held  successively 
in  private  rooms  and  in  the  various  "Halls"  that 
had  been  provided  for  conference  meetings,  etc. 
But  the  growth  of  the  school  made  it  necessary  to 
secure  a  larger  place  for  its  sessions,  and  in  the 
autumn  of  that  year  the  school  was  transferred  to 
the  House  of  Worship  and  was  soon  doubled  in  num 
bers.  Here  its  sessions  were  regularly  held  until 
the  completion  of  the  "  Memorial  Chapel"  in  1870, 
in  whose  beautiful  and  convenient  rooms  it  has  at 
last  found  a  Home. 

A  library  of  about  six  hundred  volumes  is  con- 
nected with  the  school,  arranged  in  three  departr 
ments,  Youths',  Intermediate,  and  Adult,  to  which 
additions  are  annuall}-  made. 

THE    REVIVAL    OF    1820. 

During  the  Winter  and  Spring  of  1819-20,  another 

13 


144 


season  of  extraordinary  refreshing  from  on  higli  was 
enjoyed.  Previous  to  its  manifestation  there  was 
nothing  special  to  awaken  expectations  of  it,  save 
that  in  the  weekly  meetings  of  conference  and  prayer 
and  the  Sabbath  services  an  earnest  evangelical 
spirit  prevailed,  the  habit  of  family-  pra^'er  was 
generally  maintained,  and  songs  of  praise  were  heard 
in  the  evening  hour  from  many  an  habitation.  Re- 
specting the  progress  of  this  Revival  the  pastor,  the 
Rev.  Joel  Mann,  writes  as  follows  : 

"  The  meetings  became  more  frequent,  and  as  room  in 
a  private  house  was  not  sufiicient  to  accommodate  the 
people,  they  were  transferred  to  the  second  story  of  a  cabi- 
net-maker's shop.  Here  was  disphiyed  the  power  and 
grace  of  God,  from  day  to  day,  in  a  signal  manner.  It  was 
the  place  in  which  many  submitted  to  the  Lord,  and  found 
joy  and  peace  in  believing. 

"  This  room  became  so  filled  as  to  be  uncomfortable, 
and  another,  over  a  carriage  house,  was  prepared  and 
seated  at  considerable  expense. 

"This  proving  too  strait,   meetings  were  held   in  the 
church,  and  at  length  the  large  room  m  the  Court  House 
was  obtained,  which  was  occupied  and  filled  from  evening 
to  evening  for  many  weeks,  until  needed  for  a  session  of 
the  court.     Here  cases  of  conscience  were  tried  and  de- 
cided. Here  the  Omniscient  Judge  presided,  and  trembling 
sinners  were  arraigned  and  made  to  feel  and  acknowledge 
their  guilt.     Here  long-standing  controversies  were  settled 
between  Him  and  them.     Here  violators  of  divine  law 
were  convicied,  owned  the  justice  of  their  iiondemnation, 
submitted  to  the  disposal  of  the  Judge,   and   obtained  par- 
doning mercy.    The  pleadings  of  God's  people  were  heard, 
and  the  blessings  for  which  they  sued  were  granted.    The 
voices  of  converts  proclaimed  the  riches  of  divine  grace, 


145 

the  wonders  of  redeeming  love,  and  songs  of  praise  burst 
forth  on  every  side.  The  Lord  Jesus  lield  His  court  there, 
presented  an  indictment  to  the  conscience  of  many  a  sin- 
ner, made  him  plead  guilty,  and  then  discharged  him  with 
full  and  free  forgiveness.  The  scenes  enacted  there  made 
a  new  swell  of  joy  in  heaven,  and  brought  glory  and  praise 
to  the  divine  head  of  the  Church." 

As  in  the  Revival  of  1812,  so  in  this  the  work  was 
shared  by  all  the  Chujches  in  town,  and  a  delightful 
spirit  of  Catholic  union  prevailed.  Bishop  Gris- 
wold,  the  Rector  of  St.  Michael's  Church,  had,  under 
his  charge,  several  students  for  the  Ministr3-,  among 
whom  was  the  venerable  Stephen  H.  T^'ng,  Sr.,D.  D., 
of  New  York  city.  Being  suddenly  prostrated  by 
sickness,  the  responsibility  of  guiding  inquirers, 
holding  conference  and  prayer  meetings,  etc.,  de- 
volved largely  upon  these  students  who,  under  the 
blessing  of  the  Spirit  in  this  remarkable  work, 
received  an  impulse  and  a  tone  of  piet^'  which,  in 
subsequent  years,  distinguished  them  as  Evangelical 
preachers  and  earnest  winners  of  souls.  The  name 
of  Dr.  Tyng  especialh'  is  familiar  to  all,  and  the 
thrilling  watchword,  "  Stand  up  for  Jesus,"  uttered 
by  his  son  in  a  dying  hour,  furnished  the  inspiration 
of  one  of  the  sweetest  songs  of  Zion,  sung  in  ever}^ 
land  and  language  where  the  storj^  of  the  Cross  is 
told. 

ERECTION    OF     *'  THE    HALL." 

Conference  meetings  and  lectures   were  first  held 
in  private  houses  and  in  the    Pastor's   study  or  par- 


146 


lor ;  but  at  length  the  time  arrived  when  a  room  in 
a  private  house  no  longer  answered  the  wants  of  the 
people  and  resort  was  had  successively  to  several 
halls. 

The  first  hall  used  for  this  purpose  was  owned  by 
Joseph  Brown,  Esq.,  and  stood  near  the  present  site 
of  the  Methodist  Church  on  State  street.  It  was  in 
the  second  story,  and  was  also  used  as  a  school  room 
by  Mr.  Wj^att  Manchester  until  his  decease.  The 
lower  stor}^  was  used  for  storing  lumber.  This  was 
known  as  the  "  Blue  Hall, "  until  it  was  sold,  re- 
moved to  '^  the  Neck,"  and  made  over  into  a  dwell- 
ing house. 

On  leaving  the  "  Blue  Hall,"  a  small  hall  in  the 
second  story  of  another  building  on  State  street  was 
rented  for  a  short  time,  but  it  proving  too  strait  for 
the  wants  of  the  people  it  was  abandoned,  and 
the  Court  house  on  the  Common  was  obtained  for 
use,  excepting  when  needed  for  Court  business. 

This  arrangement  not  proving  satisfactor}^,  meas- 
ures were  taken  in  the  spring  of  1821  to  erect  a 
Conference  Hall.  This  was  completed  earl}"  in  the 
winter  of  1821-2,  at  a  cost  of  about  seven  hundred 
and  twenty  dollars,  under  the  supervision  of  Benja- 
min Wyatt,  Benjamin  Norris,  and  Giles  Luther,  as 
a  Building  Committee.  It  was  located  near  the 
Parsonage,  on  the  north  side  of  Bradford  street.  It 
was  a  plain  structure,  measuring  fort}'  by  thirty  fee% 
with  ten  feet  walls  and  an  arched  ceiling.  It  was 
furnished  with  plain  wooden  seats,  but  originally  the 
seats  on  either  side  of  the   desk  were  considerably 


147 

higher  than  the  rest,  and  were  occupied  by  the  elder 
and  more  prominent  members  of  the  Chnrch.  One 
of  the  builders  wished  to  have  it  called  "  Puritan 
Hall,"  and  cut  those  words  with  considerable  care 
on  what  he  designed  for  the  corner  stone,  but  another 
with  iconoclastic  tendencies  broke  the  stone  in  pieces 
with  a  maul,  so  the  edifice  was  ever  spoken  of  as 
simply  '^  The  Hall." 

This  Hall  served  the  congregation  for  more  than 
fort\'  years,  and  was  the  scene  of  man}-  seasons  of 
spiritual  refreshing.  The  farewell  meeting  held  in 
it,  1870,  February-  20th,  was  one  of  peculiar  interest. 
The  room  was  filled  to  overflowing.  The  time  was 
occupied  with  grateful  reminiscences  connected  with 
the  Hall,  and  with  praise  and  praj-er.  After  two 
hours  thus  occupied,  all  who  had  been  converted  in 
this  Hall  or  b}'  impressions  received  in  it  were  re- 
quested to  rise,  and  about  one-third  of  the  entire 
assembly  responded.  It  was  a  most  afl^ecting  testi- 
mony to  the  goodness  of  God  experienced  within 
those  hallowed  walls. 

ISAAC    LEWIS,    D.  D. EIGHTH    PASTOR. 

After  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Mann,  the  hearts  of 
the  people  turned  to  the  Rev.  Isaac  Lewis,  D.  D., 
whose  labors  in  the  Revival  of  1812  were  so  signally 
blessed,  by  which  he  was  greatl}'  endeared  to  them. 
With  heart}'  unanimit}'  he  was  called  to  the  Pastoral 
office  and  installed  1828,  November  12th.  He  re 
sided  on  Hope  street,  in  the  house  now  owned  and 
occupied  by  the  heirs  of  the   late  Major  Jacob  Bab- 


148 


bitt.  He  remained  in  office  until  a  failnre  of 
voice  compelled  him  to  retire,  much  to  the  regret  of 
his  people,  1831,  September  28.  After  his  dismis- 
sion he  resided  in  the  family  of  his  daughter  in  New 
York. 

Dr.  Lewis,  and  a  brother  Zechariah,  were  twin 
sons  of  the  Rev.  Isaac  Lewis,  D.  D.,  Sr.,  born  in 
Wilton,  Conn.,  1773,  January  1st,  and  were  botji 
graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1794. 

The  father  was  a  son  of  a  worthy  and  respectable 
farmer  in  Huntington,  Conn.,  born  in  1746,  and 
graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1765.  His  conversion 
was  during  his  junior  3'ear  in  college  under  the  fol- 
lowing remarkable  circumstances  :  At  that  time  the 
w^hole  college  was  poisoned  through  the  villainy  of 
certain  French  neutrals.  These  fellows  had  taken 
mortal  offence  at  the  conduct  of  a  few  wild  students, 
and,  though  ever}"  reasonable  effort  at  reconciliation 
was  made  the}'  refused  to  be  reconciled,  meditating 
the  most  deadl}'  revenge.  To  accomplish  their  pur- 
pose the}^  contrived  to  visit  the  kitchen  at  which  the 
food  of  the  students  was  prepared,  and  infused  a 
large  quantity  of  arsenic  into  one  of  the  dishes  that 
was  to  be  placed  before  them.  A  deadly  sickness 
came  over  all  who  had  eaten  of  the  dish,  but  by  an 
immediate  resort  to  medical  aid  most  of  them  were 
cured,  a  few  were  so  much  affected  that  the}'  died 
shortly  after.  Very  soon  after  this  the  evangelist 
Whitefield  visited  New  Haven,  and  preached  in  the 
College  Chapel,  and  made  use  of  this  event  as  a 
solemn   admonition.     A   profound    impression    was 


149 

made  upon  the  whole  college,  and  man}-  of  the  stu- 
dents were  hopefulh'  converted,  among  them  the 
subject  of  this  notice.  After  graduation  he  pursued 
theological  studies  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Buell,  of  East  Hampton,  L.  I.,  and  of  his 
pastor  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mills,  of  Huntington.  Receiv- 
ing calls  to  settle  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  and  Wilton, 
Conn.,  he  accepted  the  latter,  and  was  ordained  1768, 
October  26th,  and  was  married  the  same  3-ear  to 
Hannah,  eldest  daughter  of  Matthew  Beale,  of  New 
Preston,  Conn.,  a  lady  every  way  suited  to  the  sta- 
tion to  which  her  marriage  introduced  her.  Durino- 
the  Revolutionary  struggle  he  espoused  his  country's 
cause  with  great  zeal,  served  seven  months  as  chap- 
lain to  one  of  the  Connecticut  regiments,  and  after 
the  State  troops  were  disbanded  was  appointed  chap- 
lain in  the  Continental  army,  but  his  people  beino- 
unwilling  to  spare  him  again  he  declined  the  appoint- 
ment. A  few  years  subsequent  to  this  he  labored 
arduously  for  a  season  in  a  missionar}-  tour  to  the 
destitute  fields  in  the  vicinity  of  Doi'set,  Vt.  Durino- 
his  residence  in  Wilton,  he  was  invited  to  take 
charge  of  a  congregation  in  South  Carolina,  but  de- 
clined it,  chiefly  on  the  ground  of  his  -^  strong  dis- 
approbation of  the  system  of  slavery."  Becomino- 
satisfied  that  the  prevailing  practice  of  "  the  half- 
way Covenant"  was  wrong,  he  took  a  stand  against 
it,  occasioning  dissatisfaction  among  his  people  and 
finally  leading  to  his  dismission  in  June,  1786,  after 
a  Ministry  of  nearly  eighteen  years.  On  the  da}-  of 
his  dismission   he   was  invited   to   preach  at  Green- 


150 


wich,  Conn.,  and  was  soon  after  called  to  the  Pas- 
torate which  he  accepted,  and  was  installed  1786, 
October  18th.  After  a  highly  successful  ministry, 
by  which  he  was  greatly  endeared  to  his  people,  he 
was  dismissed,  at  his  own  urgent  request,  on  account 
of  the  infirmities  of  age,  1818,  December  1st,  but  he 
continued  to  dwell  among  his  people,  and  to  labor 
for  their  welfare  as  his  strength  would  allow  until 
his  decease,  1840,  August  27th,  at  the  advanced  age 
of  nearly  ninety-five  years.  In  1792  he  received 
from  his  alma  mater  the  degree  of  Doctor  in  Divinity. 
In  1816  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  corporation 
of  Yale  College.  He  had  a  prominent  agency  in 
man}^  of  the  benevolent  movements  of  the  day,  and 
was  connected  with  most  of  the  prominent  societies 
then  existing  for  the  extension  of  the  Gospel  and  the 
promotion  of  the  great  interests  of  humanity.  Dr* 
Lewis  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  nine  chil- 
dren, six  sons  and  three  daughters.  Of  the  five  sons 
who  lived  to  maturity,  three  were  educated  at  Yale 
College,  two  entered  the  Ministr}',  and  three  were 
lawjxTS.     Their  mother  died  1829,  April   13th. 

Zechariah,  one  of  the  twin  brothers,  studied 
theolog}"  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  was,  at  the  same 
time,  a  private  tutor  in  the  family  of  General  Wash- 
ington. In  1746  he  was  licensed  to  preach,  but 
accepted  the  oflSce  of  tutor  in  Yale  College,  where  he 
continued  until  a  failure  of  health  compelled  him  to 
resign  in  the  summer  of  1799.  Not  recovering  health 
suflScient  to  enter  upon  the  Ministry,  he  became  edi- 
tor of   "  the   Commercial   Advertiser "    and  "  New 


151 

York  Spectator,"  and  remained  in  this  employment 
till  about  the  year  1820.  He  was  subsequently  cor- 
responding secretar}'  of  the  "  New  York  Religious 
Tract  Society,"  and  of  the  "  United  Foreign  Mission 
Societ}' ;"  and  commenced  and  for  several  years 
edited  the  "  American  Missionar}'  Register."  He 
died  at  his  residence  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  1840, 
November  14th,  in  the  sixty-eighth  3'ear  of  his  age. 

Dr.  Lewis,  our  Pastor,  pursued  his  theological 
studies  at  New  Haven,  under  both  Presidents  Stiles 
and  Dwight.  He  was  ordained  1798,  May  30th,  and 
in  1800  was  installed  over  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Cooperstown,  N.  Y.,  from  whence  he  was 
called,  in  1806,  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Goshen, 
N.  Y.,  and  from  there  came  to  Bristol  in  1812.  After 
his  brief  but  fruitful  labors  here,  he  officiated  as 
stated  supply  in  the  Churches  of  New  Rochelle  and 
West  Farms,  N.  Y.,  until  he  was  called  to  succeed 
his  venerable  father  at  Greenwich,  Conn.,  being  in- 
stalled on  the  day  of  his  father's  dismission,  1818, 
December  1st.  After  a  remarkably  successful  Minis- 
tr}^  of  a  few  3'ears  he  resigned  his  charge,  and  was 
soon  after  settled  as  the  eighth  Pastor  in  the  line  of 
succession  over  this  ancient  Church. 

In  1844  he  was  honored  with  the  degree  of  Doctor 
in  Divinity  by  Delaware  College.  In  1827  he  preached 
the  Election  Sermon  at  New  Haven,  Conn.  Several 
sermons  and  public  addresses  were  published,  includ- 
ing the  Ordination  sermon  of  Rev.  Joshua  Knight,  at 
Sherburne,  Mass.,  1804,  two  or  three  occasional  ser- 
mons preached  at  Bristol,  and  an  address  before  the 
Fairfield  County  Bible  Society  in  1844. 


152 


A  man  of  excellent  talents,  of  elevated  Christian 
character,  of  fine  expressive  countenance,  of  urbane 
and  gentlemanly  manners,  and  of  richly  endowed  and 
well  furnished  mind,  he  commanded  the  respect  of 
all.  As  a  preacher  he  was  sound  in  doctrine,  able 
and  eloquent  in  appeal.  As  a  Pastor  he  was  faithful, 
and  won  the  hearts  of  all  who  received  his  kind  and 
Christian  ministrations.  He  died  at  New  York, 
1854,  September  23d,  in  the  eighty  second  year  of 
his  age. 

His  Ministry  in  Bristol,  though  brief,  was  dis- 
tinguished b}'  another  of  those  seasons  of  great 
spiritual  refreshing  which  characterized  this  period, 
resulting  in  large  accessions  to  the  membership  of 
the  Church. 

THE    REVIVAL    OF    1830. 

Though  from  advancing  j^ears  the  natural  force  of 
Dr.  Lewis  had  in  a  degree  abated,  the  recollection  of 
his  past  services  secured  for  him  a  warm  w^elcome 
to  the  hearts  of  the  people  who  were  ready  to  co- 
operate with  him  in  every  good  word  and  work.  The 
thoroughly  evangelical  character  of  his  preaching, 
his  fidelity  in  pastoral  labors,  the  sweet  influence  of 
his  christian  example,  the  kindly  and  prayerful  co- 
operation of  the  Church  prepared  the  way  for  a 
third  general  Revival  in  1830,  of  a  similar  character 
and  extent  to  the  two  which  had  preceded  it.  Re- 
specting this  great  work  of  grace,  we  make  no 
special  record  of  incidents  or  details,  but  it  is  grate- 
fully remembered  b}-  the  surviving  subjects   of  it  as 


153 


a  precious  season  of  interest  throughout  all  the 
Churches,  and  aliecting  nearl}-  ever}'  family  in  the 
town.  The  converts,  numbered  by  hundreds,  were 
of  all  ages  and  several  of  them  were  far  advanced 
in  life,  who,  having  passed  through  the  previous  sea- 
sons of  refreshing  without  submitting  themselves  to 
God,  felt  that  this  was  a  last  call  to  them,  and  un- 
less the}'  now  yielded  to  the  Divine  claims  their  day 
of  grace  was  over. 

Thus  has  God  blessed  this  Church  and  town  with 
repeated  and  remarkable  Pentecostal  seasons,  and 
his  blessing  has  rested  upon  the  community  at  all 
times.  Surely  He  is  faithful  that  hath  promised,  and 
His  mercies  are  from  everlastins;  to  everlasting. 
With  what  gratitude  should  we  acknowledge  his 
goodness,  with  what  penitence  should  we  acknow- 
ledge our  sins  before  Him,  with  what  earnest  faith 
should  we  consecrate  ourselves  and  all  that  we  pos- 
sess to  His  service. 


154 


VIII. 

THE  BUILDING    STILL    GOING  FORWARD. 

1830-1872. 

JOHN    STARKWEATHER. NINTH    PASTOR. 

The  ninth  Pastor  in  the  succession  was  the  Rev. 
John  Starkweather,  a  native  of  Worthington, 
Mass. ;  a  graduate  of  Yale  College,  1825,  and  of 
Andover  Theological  Seminary.  The  call,  voted  on 
the  21st  of  November,  1831,  was  unanimons,  and 
with  cordial  harmon}-  he  was  duly  installed  on  the 
14th  of  December  following.  For  a  time  this  unani- 
mit}^  of  feeling  continued,  but  at  length  there  arose 
considerable  dissatisfaction  and  want  of  confidence 
which  was  expressed  in  a  written  communication  to 
the  Pastor,  signed  1)}'  twent3'-one  male  members.  On 
the  29th  of  December,  1834,  the  matter  was  mu- 
tually referred  to  an  Ecclesiastical  Council,  who 
advised  the  dissolution  of  the  Pastoral  relation, 
which  advice  was  accepted. 

During  his  brief  Ministrj^  twenty-two  were  added 
to  the  Church,  and  the  Manual  which  has  been  in 
use  to  the  present  time  was  prepared   and  published. 

THOMAS    SHEPARD,    D.    D. TENTH    PASTOR. 

Soon  after  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Starkweather, 
efforts  were  made  to  secure  the  services  of  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Shepard,  late  of  Ashfield,  Mass.,  and  by  a 


155 


unanimous  vote  of  the  Chnrch  and  Societ}-  he  was 
called  to  the  Pastoral  office.  1835,  April  1st.  Ac- 
cepting the  call  he  was  dul}-  installed  on  the  30th  of 
April  following. 

Dk.  Shepakd  was  a  native  of  Norton,  Mass., 
born  1792,  May  7th;  graduated  at  Brown  Univer- 
sit}'  1813,  and  at  Andover  Theological  Seminary 
1816  ;  was  emplo^'ed  until  1819  as  a  missionar}' and 
teacher  in  the  State  of  Georgia  ;  and  on  the  16th  of 
June,  of  that  3'ear,  was  ordained  as  Colleague  Pastor 
with  the  venerable  Xehemiah  Porter  over  the  Church, 
in  Ashfield,  Mass.  After  a  successful  ministr}'  of  about 
fourteen  3'ears,  during  which  two  hundred  and  seventy- 
four  were  admitted  to  his  Church ;  he  was  dismissed 
1833,  May  8th.  After  his  dismission  from  Ashfield, 
he  was  emplo3'ed  as  an  agent  for  the  American  Bible 
Societ}'  about  two  3'ears,  from  which  service  he  was 
called  to  the  Pastorate  here.  In  1853  he  received 
from  Brown  Universit}'  the  Degree  of  Doctor  in 
Divinity.  In  1846  he  was  elected  a  corporate  mem- 
ber of  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for 
Foreign  Missions. 

A  Parsonage  was  earl}-  in  his  Ministrj^  erected  on 
Bradford  street,  which  he  has  occupied  with  his 
famil}'  ever  since.  A  few  yeaYs  ago  Mrs.  Sarah  W. 
Shepard,  the  sharer  of  his  jo3's  and  burdens,  was 
called  to  her  home  above.  A  devoted  wife  and 
mother,  a  faithful  friend  to  all,  and  especiall}^  kind 
to  the  poor,  a  decided  Christian  in  all  the  walks  of 
life,  her  memor}'  is  cherished  gratefully  b}'^  the 
people  among  whom  she  passed  her  useful  life. 
14 


156 

On  the  7th  of  May,  1865,  he  resigned  the  active 
duties  and  responsibilities  of  the  Pastoral  office,  and 
asked  that  a  successor  mio;ht  be  chosen.  His  resis- 
nation  was  accepted,  with  the  understanding  that  he 
would  continue  to  live  among  his  own  people  until 
called  up  higher,  and  the  use  of  the  Parsonage  was 
tendered  him  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He 
still  lives  among  us  as  the  retired  Pastor  universally 
respected  and  beloved. 

During  his  Ministry  several  seasons  of  unusual 
religious  interest  transpired.  In  1837,  1838,  1842, 
1846,  1852  and  1858,  the  Holy  Spirit's  power  was 
manifested  in  the  quickening  of  God's  children  and 
the  conversion  of  many  souls.  These  seasons  are 
gratefully  remembered  b}^  all  who  were  participants 
in  them. 

ERECTION    OF   THE    THIRD    HOUSE    OF    WORSHIP. 

Early  in  1855,  the  subject  of  erecting  a  new  House 
of  Worship  was  agitated,  and,  after  some  delibera- 
tion, it  was  decided  to  proceed  to  build.  The  fol- 
lowing gentlemen  w^ere  chosen  a  Building  Commit- 
tee, under  whose  supervision  the  work  was  success- 
fully accomplished  :  William  B.  Spooner,  Messadore 
T.  Bennett,  Josiah  Gladding,  Stephen  T.  Church, 
and  Nathan  Bardin. 

The  House  is  located  on  the  corner  of  Bradford 
and  High  streets,  fronting  on  the  latter.  It  has 
three  entrances  in  front  and  a  rear  entrance  at  the 
south-east  corner  leading  to  the  librar}-  and  pulpit, 
and  also  leading  to  the  chapel  recently  built.     It  has 


157 


a  tower  on  the  north-west  corner  eighteen  feet  square 
with  buttresses  extending  upward  about  eighty  feet, 
surmounted  with  belfre}'  and  turrets.  The  full  di- 
mensions of  the  house  are  as  follows :  Length,  one 
hundred  and  one  feet ;  width,  sixt3'-seven  feet ;  walls, 
twenty-eight  feet  high  in  the  clear,  and  thirt3'-nine 
feet  from  the  floor  to  the  apex  of  nave  of  the  main 
arch.  The  style  of  architecture  is  gothic.  The 
trimmings  and  buttresses  are  of  pure  granite  ;  the 
filling  up  is  of  a  stone  somewhat  different  in  qualit}'-, 
presenting  a  pleasing  varietj'  in  figure  and  color. 
The  roof  is  covered  with  slate  and  tin.  The  interior 
is  finished  with  groin  arched  ceiling  with  eight  pend- 
ants or  corbels  for  springing  the  arches,  and  from 
which  depend  the  chandeliers.  The  pews,  number- 
ing one  hundred  and  fourteen  on  the  main  floor,  are 
circular,  trimmed  with  black  walnut,  and  neath'  up- 
holstered. The  pulpit,  communion  table  and  chairs 
are  of  black  walnut,  harmonising  well  with  the  gen- 
eral style  of  the  house.  The  recess  back  of  the 
pulpit  is  richly  frescoed  as  are  also  the  arches  in  the 
ceiling  of  the  roof.  The  organ,  made  by  Messrs. 
Hook,  of  Boston,  is  finished  to  correspond  with  the 
interior  of  the  Church.  The  case  is  gothic,  thirty- 
four  feet  high  and  fourteen  feet  wide.  It  has  thirt}-- 
two  registers  or  stops,  and  is  of  superior  tone  and 
capacit}'.  The  orchestra  is  dropped  within  a  few 
feet  of  the  main  floor,  and  harmonizes  in  style  with 
the  pulpit  at  the  opposite  end.  The  entire  floor  of 
the  Church  is  richly  carpeted,  and  the  whole  interior 
is  lighted  with   gas.     The   architect   was   Seth   H. 


158 

Ingalls,  and  the  master  builder  was  William  Ingalls, 
both  of  New  Bedford,  Mass. 

The  House  stood  complete  and  ready  for  dedica- 
tion in  November,  1856.  On  the  23d,  farewell  ser- 
vices of  an  interesting  character  including  an  histori- 
cal discourse  by  the  Pastor,  founded  on  Psalm  xlviii. 
12-13,  were  held  in  the  old  House,  and  on  the  25th 
the  new  House  was  dedicated  to  Almighty  God 
with  appropriate  services  including  discourse  by  the 
Pastor,  founded  on  Psalm  Ixxvii.  13.  These  were  oc- 
casions of  special  interest  to  the  congi'egation  who 
requested  copies  of  the  discourses  for  publication, 
which  request  was  complied  with.  The  following 
extracts  from  these  discourses  will  show  the  anima- 
ting spirit  of  Pastor  and  people  : 

'*  In  taking  leave  of  these  venerable  walls  within  which 
our  fathers  have  sat  and  listened  to  the  messages  of  salva- 
tion for  seventy-two  years,  where  venerable  men  of  God, 
some  of  whom  have  ceased  from  earth  and  gone  to  tlieir 
final  reward,  have  been  trained  for  the  kingdom  of  glory, 
where  the  praises  of  God  have  been  sung  by  lips  which  are 
now  responding  to  angelic  harps  around  the  throne,  many 
affecting  thoughts  crowd  themselves  upon  our  minds. 
This  has  been  the  birth-place  of  souls.  Here,  blind  eyes 
have  been  opened  to  behold  the  light  of  truth,  as  it  shines 
in  the  face  of  Jesus.  Here  deaf  ears  have  been  unstopped 
to  listen  with  rapture  to  the  messages  of  mercy  tlirough 
atoning  blood.  Here  multitudes  have  set  out  in  the 
christian  race,  for  the  prize  of  an  unfading  crown.  Oh! 
how  hallowed  to  memory  is  such  a  place.  But  it  has  done 
its  work,  and  in  the  revolutions  of  time  it  is  meet  that 
it  should  give  place  to  another,  and  a  more  com- 
modious and  more  attractive  house  of  worship.  And  while 


150 

the  very  dust  of  this  sanctuary  will  ever  remain  precious 
in  our  eyes,  may  our  united  prayers  ascend  to  God,  that 
the  glory  of  the  latter  house  may  exceed  the  glory  of  the 
former.  The  materials  of  its  walls  are  imperishable. 
Long,  long  will  it  resist  the  corroding  tooth  of  time.  Cen- 
turies will  not  impair  those  granite  foundations,  scores  of 
generations  will  worship  in  its  courts,  and  thousands  of  the 
sanctified  pass  up  to  the  purer  devotions  of  heaven." 

'•  What  is  this  new  and  stately  edifice,  this  pulpit,  these 
pews,  yonder  orchestra,  these  frescoed  arches?  What  but 
one  common  passage  way  to  the  grave,  thej'udgment  seat, 
the  retributions  of  eternity.  If  they  all  could  speak  to  us, 
would  not  their  united  voice  be  "Prepare  to  meet  thy 
God.^"  Oh  if  these  buttresses  and  turrets  and  pillars  and 
arches  and  gildings  had  a  tongue  to  speak  for  Him,  to 
whose  service  they  are  this  day  dedicated,  they  would  say 
to  you  in  tones  unearthly,  '  let  not  the  novelty  of  these 
imposing  scenes  divert  your  minds  one  moment  from  the 
great  question.  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved?'  Consecra- 
ted stone  or  wood  or  mortar  wrought  into  the  highest 
state  ot  architectural  symmetry  and  beauty  cannot  save 
you.  Yonder  organ  with  its  deep  and  silvery  tones,  this 
pulpit  with  the  highest  eloquence  that  shall  ever  grace  it, 
cannot,  of  themselves,  work  out  your  salvation.  Except 
ye  repent  and  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, — except  ye 
give  your  heart  to  God  and  live  to  His  glory,  ye  must  live 
and  die  without  hope.  No  external  privileges  can  super- 
cede the  necessity  of  the  washing  of  regeneration  and  the 
renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 

"  See  that  you  refuse  not  Him  that  speaketh  to  you  to- 
day through  these  scenes  and  services.  Bring  no  strange 
fire  to  offer  on  this  altar.  Come  up  hither  with  the  sacri- 
fice of  an  humble  and  contrite  heart.  Listen  to  the  Word 
as  those  who  must  give  account.  Pray  with  a  fervent 
spirit.  Make  melody  in  your  hearts  unto  the  Lord.  In  a 
word,  worship  God  in  spirit  and  in  truth.    And  after  a  few 


160 


more  Sabbalh  suns  shall  have  arisen  and  set,  you  will  have 
offered  your  last  prayer,  have  sung  your  last  hymn  of 
praise,  joined  in  your  last  communion  service,  your  seat 
be  occupied  by  another,  and  your  spirit,  if  purified  in  the 
blood  of  the  Lamb,  will  pass  away  to  the  Sanctuary 
above, 

Where  the  assembly  ne'er  breaks  up 
And  the  babbath  ne'er  shall  end." 

CYRUS    P.    OSBORNE. — ELEVENTH    PASTOR. 

After  the  retirement  of  Dr.  Shepard,  several  per- 
sons were  heard  as  candidates  for  settlement  until 
the  11th  of  September,  1865,  when  the  Church  voted 
unanimously  to  call  the  Rev.  Cyrus  P.  Osborne,  in 
which  action  the  Societ}^  also  concurred,  and  on  the 
2d  of  November  following,  he  was  duly  ordained  and 
Installed  as  the  Eleventh  Pastor  in  the  succession. 

Mr.  Osborne  was  born  in  East  Boston,  Mass., 
graduated  at  Harvard  College,  1859,  and  at  Andover 
Theological  Seminary,  1862.  He  continued  in  the 
Pastoral  office  until  1870,  June  6th,  when,  at  his  own 
request,  he  was  dismissed,  that  he  might  avail  him- 
self of  a  favorable  opportunity  to  visit  Europe  and 
the  Holy  Land. 

His  ministry,  though  brief,  was  fruitful  in  good 
results.  An  interesting  revival  of  religion  was  en- 
J03^ed  in  1866-67,  during  which  season  a  large  number 
of  3'oung  persons  professed  conversion,  and  over  a 
hundred  united  with  the  Church  on  profession  of 
faith. 


161 


PAYMENT    OF    THE    DEBT. 


One  leading  object  in  the  organization  of  the 
Catholic  Societ}'  was  to  secure  a  permanent  fund  for 
the  support  of  the  Ministry.  With  much  self-denial 
a  fund  was  started  which  promised  to  be  of  ver}'' 
material  aid  by  a  prospective  increase  from  year  to 
year.  But  the  event  did  not  justifj-  the  hopes  thus 
entertained.  Eighteen  3'ears  later  the  fund  seems  to 
have  shrank  somewhat,  for  in  the  settlement  with 
Dr.  Wight  a  note  of  one  thousand  dollars  was  given 
by  the  Societ}'.  This  beginning  of  debt  was  a  bad 
precedent  too  easil}^  followed  in  subsequent  3'ears, 
until  it  rolled  up  in  round  numbers  to  six  thousand 
dollars.  On  the  2 2d  of  March,  1864,  a  member  of 
the  Society,  who  has  since  rested  from  his  earthly 
labors,  liberally  offered  *'  to  pay  one-half  the  debt 
himself  if  the  Societ}^  would  raise  b}-  subscription  a 
like  sum."  This  offer  set  the  people  to  thinking, 
but  did  not  arouse  them  sufficiently  to  secure  the  de- 
sired end  until  the  fall  of  1867,  when,  at  a  meeting 
in  "  the  Hall,"  on  the  evening  '  of  September  17, 
about  forty  members  of  the  congregation  being 
present,  the  ball  was  set  in  motion  b}'  a  liberal  sub- 
scription, a  committee  was  appointed  to  canvass  the 
parish,  and  in  a  few  weeks  the  requisite  amount  was 
secured.  Great  was  the  rejoicing  over  this  result, 
and  a  meeting  of  the  people  for  thanksgiving  and 
praise  was  appointed,  which  was  attended  by  large 
numbers  and  is  spoken  of  as  "  the  Jubilee  meet- 
ing:." 


162 


ERECTION    OF    THE    MEMORIAL    CHAPEL. 

The  year  following  the  payment  of  the  Society^s 
debt,  the  subject  of  erecting  a  Chapel  was  agitated, 
"  the  Hall  "  being  thought  by  many  to  be  too  small 
for  the  present  and  prospective  need  of  the  Church. 
The  Sabbath  School  began  to  make  weekly  offerings 
as  the  nucleus  of  a  fund  for  this  purpose,  and  plans 
were  discussed  of  securing  a  general  contribution 
throughout  the  congregation,  but  before  arrange- 
ments were  completed,  two  sisters  who  had  often 
made  the  Church  their  debtor  by  their  nnstinted 
benefactions,  desiring  to  honor  their  sainted  parents 
and  at  the  same  time  make  provision  for  the  wants  of 
the  Church,  whose  spiritnal  welfare  was  dear  to  them, 
assumed  the  entire  responsibility  of  building  and  fur- 
nishing a  "  Memorial  Chapel."  Arrangements  were 
soon  completed,  and  the  work  was  begun  under  the 
supervision  of  Messadore  T.  Bennett,  William  B. 
Spooner,  William  H.  Church,  Stephen T.  Church,  Mar- 
tin Bennett,  and  James  E.  French,  as  a  building 
committee.  The  architect  was  Seth  Ingalls,  Esq.,  of 
New  Bedford,  Mass.  The  corner  stone  was  laid 
with  appropriate  services  at  eleven  o'clock,  Tues- 
day, July  6th,  1869,  and  in  the  following  Februar}^ 
the  Chapel  stood  complete  and  furnished  for  oc- 
cupancy. 

The  Chapel  adjoins  the  Church  edifice,  with  which 
it  harmonizes  in  material  and  style.  The  walls  are 
of  rubble  stone  ;  the  door,  windows  and  buttresses 
of  dressed  granite.  The  side  walls  are  thirteen  feet, 
find  the  main  gabl^  thirty-four  fetjt  high.     The  ceil- 


1G3 


ing  is  finished  to  the  height  of  twent3'-nine  feet.  A 
vestibule  ten  feet  by  eleven  feet  joins  the  Chapel  to 
the  Church.  A  north  -sving  extends  across  the  end 
of  the  vestibule  and  in  the  rear  of  the  Church  twent}'- 
six  feet  b}'  twent3--two  feet  two  inches.  A  south 
wing  projects  from  the  opposite  side  fifteen  feet  b}^ 
twenty-one  feet  eight  inches.  The  main  audience 
room,  with  which  the  wings  are  connected  b}'  sliding 
doors  with  ground  glass  panels,  is  thirty-three  feet  b}'' 
Mtj  feet.  These  are  all  inside  measurements.  The 
floors  are  of  southern  pine  laid  in  mortar.  The  walls 
are  ceiled  up  thirt}-  inches  from  the  floor  with  south- 
ern pine,  having  a  base  and  chair  moulding  of  black 
walnut.  The  ceiling  overhead  is  finished  with  trans- 
verse arches  and  pendants  or  corbels  for  springing 
the  arches  to  which  are  attached  the  gas  fixtures. 
The  walls  above  the  chair  moulding  and  the  ceiling 
overhead  are  neatl}'  tinted  with  a  light  color  that 
harmonizes  well  with  the  general  style  of  the  interior. 
The  western  or  front  gable  has  a  large  gothic  win- 
dow of  stained  glass,  and  a  similar  window  of  ground 
glass  is  in  the  north  gable.  The  other  windows  are 
all  of  ground  glass. 

The  main  audience  room  is  furnished  with  black 
walnut  seats  in  cast  iron  frames  with  reversible 
backs,  a  neat  black  walnut  desk  made  In'  William  O. 
and  Charles  Manchester,  and  gothic  chairs  of  the 
same  material  for  the  platform,  a  small  black  walnut 
table  front  of  the  desk,  and  a  Mason  &  Hamlin 
organ,  valued  at  three  hundred  dollars,  presented  by 
the  Sabbath  School.     The  aisles  and  the  space  front 


164 


of  the  seats  and  around  the  platform  are  covered 
with  neat  and  durable  matting,  and  the  platform  with 
a  tasteful  carpet.  The  north  room  is  furnished  with 
settees  with  reversible  backs,  and  a  movable  desk 
and  chairs,  and  the  entire  floor  is  neatl}*  carpeted. 
The  south  room  is  carpeted  similar  to  the  north 
room,  and  is  furnished  with  an  extension  table  and 
movable  chairs.  By  opening  the  sliding  doors  the 
three  rooms  are  thrown  into  one,  every  part  of  which 
is  in  range  with  the  desk  of  the  large  room. 

Upon  the  inner  wall  of  the  large  room  is  a  plain 
marble  tablet,  inscribed  as  follows  : 

THIS  CHAPEL 

Dedicated  to  the  service  of  God,  the  Father,  Son, 

AND  Holy  Ghost, 

Was  Erected  in  1869,  in  Memory  of 

WILLIAM   AND    CHARLOTTE    DEWOLF, 

Deceased  1829. 

By   their   Daughters    Charlotte   DeWolf    and 

Maria  DeVYolf  Rogers. 

*'  We  have  thought  of  thy  loving  kindness 

0  Oocl  in  the  midst  of  thy  templet 

The  Chapel  was  dedicated  1870,  February  24th, 
with  impressive  services,  including  a  dedicatory  ad- 
dress by  the  pastor,  Mr.  Osborne,  and  dedicatory 
pra3"er  by  Dr.  Shepard. 

The  address  closed  as  follows  : 

*'  Thus,  my  hearers,  does  this  occasion  suggest  to  us  im- 
portant duties,  too  apt  to  be  neglected.     Does  it  not  also 


165 

call  for  gi-atoful  acknowledgments ;  first  to  God,  whose 
providence  has  furnished  us  this  gift ;  next  to  the  human 
instruments  of  His  benefMction. 

"  It  is  pleasant  to  commend.  To  praise  tlie  patience 
and  wise  council  of  the  building  committee,  the  skill  of 
tlie  architect  and  builder,  the  fidelity  of  the  workmen  in 
their  several  parts,  the  zeal  of  one  who  has  shown  the 
deepest  interest  in  the  difficult  work  of  furnishing  the 
several  apartments  were  a  gi-ateful  office  and  not  embar- 
rassing. But  worthily  to  praise  the  bountiful  devotion 
which  has  built  these  walls  and  given  this  edifice,  with  all 
its  comely  furnishings,  a  free-will  offering  to  the  Lord,— 
for  this  I  have  no  fitting  words.  I  cannot  give  voice  to 
the  grateful  sentiments  that  pervade  this  assembly.  Nor 
would  I  if  I  could.  For  this  would  only  wound  the  ten- 
der sensibilities  of  natures  as  modest  as  they  are  munifi- 
cent. 

"  We  will  only  rejoice  that  their  eyes  have  been  per- 
mitted to  behold  their  completed  offering,  and  to  be 
witnesses  of  our  joy  in  its  completion;  and  pray  they  may 
be  spared  to  see  it  become  according  to  their  fervent  wish, 
'the  birthplace  of  souls,'  and  resolve  never  to  forget 
tiieir  frequently  expressed  desire,  that  this  sanctuary  may 
be  hallowed  to  the  service  of  the  Master. 

"  There  is  an  element  in  this  offering  too  sacred  for  our 
touch.  '  In  Memoriam  '  is  graved  upon  its  Avails,  point- 
ing our  thoughts  heavenward. 

'  Oh,  it  is  sweet  to  thiuk  of  those  that  are  departed, 
While  numbered  prayers  ^ink  to  silence  tender-hearted; 
"While  tears  that  leave  no  pain,  are  tranquilly  distilling, 
And  the  dead  live  again,  in  hearts  that  love  is  filling.' 

"  Some  will  make  the  dead  live  again  in  flowers  upon 
their  grave,  watered  with  tears  that  have  their  fountains 
in  the  heart.  Some  will  keep  their  name  alive  by  tons  of 
rock  heaped  over  them, — marble  from  Italy  or  granite 
from  the  hills,  carved  into  elegant  but  idle  forms.    Butfiir 


166 


more  beautiful  is  that  affection  which  turns  the  memory  of 
the  dead  into  a  benediction  of  the  living.  It  was  a  loving 
thought  of  the  sainted  dead  that  reared  this  little  temple. 
It  was  a  happy  thought  that  combined  in  a  single  act  such 
honor  to  tiie  memory  of  parents  long  departed,  and  such 
devotion  to  a  Redeemer's  cause.  If  the  redeemed  in 
heaven  can  witness  earthly  scenes,  those  revered  parents 
must  rejoice,  as  piety  and  filial  love  now  lay  this  offering 
at  ImmanueFs  feet." 

JAMES    P.    LANE. TWELFTH    PASTOR. 

On  the  first  Sabbath  in  November,  1870,  the 
present  Pastor  began  to  preach  as  a  candidate  for 
settlement.  Receiving  a  unanimous  call  from  the 
Church  and  Society,  he  accepted  the  same,  and  on 
the  11th  of  January,  1871,  was  dul}"  installed  in 
oflfice.  The  sermon  on  this  occasion  was  by  the  Rev. 
Jacob  M.  Manning,  D.  D.,  of  Boston,  Mass.  The 
installing  prayer  was  by  the  Rev.  John  L.  Taylor, 
D.  D.,  of  Andover,  Mass. 

Mr.  Lane  was  a  native  of  Candia,  N.  H.  ;  son  of 
the  late  Isaiah  Lane,  M.  D.,  who  deceased  at  Meri- 
den,  N.  H.,  in  1855.  He  graduated  at  Amherst 
College,  1857,  pursued  Theological  studies  at  And- 
over, and  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  Congregational 
Church  in  East  Weymouth,  Mass.,  1861,  January 
10th.  After  a  ministry  of  nearl}-  five  years,  during 
which  about  one  hundred  were  admitted  to  the 
Church,  he  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Free 
Church  in  Andover,  and  was  installed  1866,  April 
4th.     From  Andover  he  removed  to  Bristol. 


167 


CHARITABLE  FUNDS  AND  CONTRIBUTIONS. 

A  bequest  of  five  hundred  dollars,  made  by  Mrs. 
Ann  Coggeshall,  widow  of  William  Coggeshall,  and 
deposited  in  '^  tlie  Bristol  Institution  for  Savings," 
is  held  in  trust  by  tlie  treasurer  for  the  benefit  "  of 
needv  widows  who  are  communicants  and  members 
of  the  Church,"  and  the  annual  interest  is  distribu- 
ted to  those  who  are  entitled  to  receive  it  on  or  about 
the  first  of  January  in  each  year.  This  fund  became 
first  available  in  1855. 

In  1867,  November  6th,  Mrs.  Mary  T.  B.  Glad- 
ding, (the  founder  of  the  Sabbath  School  in  1816,) 
deceased,  aged  eight3'-two  years.  After  other  be- 
quests, she  gave  to  the  Church  the  rest  of  her 
property,  amounting  to  about  five  hundred  dollars, 
to  be  forever  held  in  trust  for  ''  the  use  and  benefit 
of  aged  and  indigent  females,  communicants  of  the 
Church."  This  fund  is  deposited  in  "  the  Bristol 
Institution  for  Savings,"  and  the  annual  interest  is 
distributed  according  to  the  terms  of  the  bequest  hy 
the  pastor  at  his  discretion. 

The  late  B.  W.  Greene,  Esq.,  of  Hartford,  Conn., 
made  a  bequest  of  property,  valued  at  about  two 
thousand  dollars,  "  to  the  poor  of  the  Church  congre- 
gation in  Bristol,  R.  I.,  the  proceeds  or  income  to  be 
distributed  annually  by  the  Deacons  of  the  Church." 
The  AVill  containing  this  bequest  was  set  aside  by 
the  Probate  Court,  but  the  heirs  generoush'  under- 
took to  cany  out  the  intentions  of  the  testator  in  an 
agreement  to  pay  over  the  amount  "  to  the  Congre- 
15 


168 


gational  Church  in  Bristol,  R.  I.,  in  trust  that  the 
income  shall  be  annually  spent  for  the  poor  of  said 
Church  at  their  discretion."  This  fund,  amounting 
to  about  two  thousand  two  hundred  dollars,  is  de- 
posited in  ''  the  Mechanic's  Savings  Bank,  Provi- 
dence," and  in  "  the  Providence  Institution  for  Sav- 
ings," the  bank  books  being  in  the  hands  of  the 
Church  Treasurer. 

Collections  for  the  poor  are  taken  at  each  commun- 
ion season,  and  distributed  by  the  Deacons  at  their 
discretion ;  also,  an  annual  collection  for  the  same 
object  at  the  time  of  the  State  and  National  Thanks- 
giving. 

With  these  liberal  provisions  for  the  poor — sup- 
plemented b3'  other  private  benefactions, — the  Church 
is  also  mindful  of  the  calls  for  religious  and  charita- 
ble work  abroad.  The  causes  of  Home  and  Foreign 
Missions,  Christian  Education,  Bible  dissemination, 
etc.,  receive  annual  attention,  and  contributions 
amounting  in  the  aggregate  to  several  hundreds  of 
dollars  are  made.  A  "  Ladies  Missionar}'  Societ}^," 
connected  with  the  Church,  contribute,  besides  do- 
nations in  mone}',  articles  of  clothing,  etc.,  auxiliary 
to  both  the  Home  Missionary  and  Foreign  Mission- 
ary^ Boards  of  our  denomination. 

A  "  Sewing  School"  has  been  sustained  by  several 
of  the  ladies  of  our  congregation,  and  much  good 
accomplished  in  teaching  poor  children  this  useful 
art,  and  providing  needed  garments  which  are  given 
them. 

There  are  other  local   charities  in   the  support  of 


1(J9 


which  this  Clmrcli  unites,  with  the  other  religious 
societies  in  town,  as  follows  : 

A  "  Home  for  destitute  Children,"  under  the  care 
of  a  matron  and  the  supervision  of  a  board  of  lad}" 
managers,  selected  from  the  various  religious  socie- 
ties in  town.  The  current  expenses  of  this  noble 
charit}^  are  met  chief!}'  b}'  the  voluntary-  contributions 
of  the  citizens  annuall}'.  The  house  and  garden  for 
the  Home  were  the  gift  of  the  late  Robert  Rogers, 
Esq.,  of  our  congregation.  A  thousand  dollars,  also, 
from  the  same  estate,  has  been  placed  at  interest  for 
the  benefit  of  this   institution. 

A  ''  Ladies  Charitable  Societ}',"  embracing  mem- 
bers from  all  the  Churches,  has  existed  for  many 
3"ears,  and  through  this  agenc}'  great  good  is  accom- 
plished in  ministering  to  the  wants  of  the  worth}' 
poor. 

A  "  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  "  main- 
tain a  public  reading  room  and  library,  accessible  to 
all  under  certain  regulations.  The  current  expenses 
are  met  by  the  dues  of  members  and  A-oluntary 
contributions. 

A  "  Bible  Committee,"  auxiliary  to  the  American 
Bible  Society,  keep  a  depository  of  Bibles  and  Tes- 
taments which  are  sold  at  cost,  or  given  to  the  desti- 
tute who  are  unable  to  buy. 

SACRAMENTAL    FURNITURE. 

A  massive  Baptismal  Font  of  white  sand  stone, 
beautifully  wrought,  was  presented  to  the  Church  by 


170 


Kev.   Prof.   J.   Lewis   Diman,   of  Providence,   and 
stands  near  the  pulpit  in  the  House  of  Worship. 

The  Communion  service  is  of  solid  silver,  and 
includes  two  cups  inscribed  "  as  the  gift  of  Nathaniel 
Byfield,  1693;"  one  cup  "the  gift  of  Rev.  John 
Sparhawk,  1718;"  three  cups  "to  the  Bristol  Non- 
Conformist  Church,  March  29,  1723,"  the  donor  of 
wiiich  is  not  known  ;  two  cups  "  the  gift  of  Hon. 
Nathaniel  Blagrove,  1745;"  and  two  flagons,  pre- 
sented August,  1855,  by  Miss  Charlotte  DeWolf, 
and  Mrs.  Maria  DeWolf  Roo;ers. 


IRmiuat  of  the  Jjtrst  Chitrdi,  Bmtol,  i.  |. 


CATALOSnE  OF  THE  OFFICERS  AND  MESIBKRS. 


WJiat  are  the  names  of  the  men  that  make  this 
buildinsf  9— EzRX,  v.  4. 


NOTE. 

The  following  Catalogue  has  been  prepared  from  the 
best  sources  of  information  at  hand,  and  great  pains 
have  been  taken  to  make  it  as  complete  and  accurate  as 
possible;  but,  owing  to  the  defective  character  of  the 
earlier  church  records,  there  are  doubtless  some  errors. 
Names  of  excommunicated  members  are  omitted,  except 
they  have  been  restored  to  fellowship ;  also,  in  the  sup- 
plementary list  of  present  members,  the  names  of  mem- 
bers who  have  been  absent  a  long  time,  respecting  whom 
we  have  no  definite  knowledge,  and  names  of  those  who 
are  not  in  active  fellowship  with  some  Christian  Church. 
But  all  these  omitted  names  are  in  the  registry  of  the 
Church,  and  are  neither  cut  off  from  any  privileges  to 
which  they  are  entitled,  nor  relieved  of  any  obligations 
that  rest  upon  them. 


OFFICERS 


Pastors. 

IiistJillr-d. 

Samnel  l.oo,  D.  D. . .  .1687,  May  3. 

John  SparliaM'k, IG95,  June  12, 

Nathaniel  Cotton 17'21,  Au^-.  30. 

Barnabas  Taylor 1729,  Dec.  24. 

John  Burt 1741,  May  13. 

Plenry  Wight,  D.  D..  .1785,  Jan.  5. 

Joel  Mann 1815,  Xov.  15. 

Isaac  Lewis,  D.  D.. .  .1628,  Nov.  12. 
John  Starkweather..  .1831.  Dec.  14. 

Thos.  Shepard,  D.  D.1835,  April  30. 

Cyrus  P.  Osborne 1865,  Xov.  2. 

James  P.  Lane 1871,  Jan.  11. 

Deacons. 

Elected. 
Nathaniel  Bosworth.  .1687,  j\Iay  3. 

John  Cary 1687.  May  3. 

William  Throop 1700,  June  12. 

John  Thi-oop 1715,  June  28. 

Eleazer  Cary 1715,  June  28. 

Benjamin  Cary 1722,  June  4. 

Samuel  Howland..  I . .  1722.  June  4. 
Nathaniel  Bosworth ..  1742,  April  12. 

John  HoM'land .1748,  Au.<i.  10. 

Jeremiah  Diman Before  1785. 

Joseph  Wardwell 1786,  Oct.  12. 

Aroliibald  [Mnnro. . . .  1766,  Oct.  12. 

William  :\Iunro 1815,  Dec.  15. 

Joseph  Brown 1815,  Dec.  15. 

Benjamin  Wyatt 1815,  Dec.  15. 

Jolm  A.  Pitman. 1815,  Dec.  15. 

Jei-emiah  Diman 1826,  Sept.  1. 

William  B.  Spooner. .  1837,  March  15. 
Benjamin  S.  Bourn. .  .1837,  June  26. 

George  M.  Coit 1839,  Oct.  13. 

William  Manchester.  1856,  Feb.  25. 


Deceased 

1691,  Dec. 
1718,  April  29. 
1729,  July  3. 

I)isii,i<scd. 

1740,  June  3. 

Deceased. 
1775,  Oct.  7. 

Dismissed. 

1828,  Nov.  11. 
1826,  Sept.  14. 
1831,  Sept.  28. 
1834,  Dec.  29. 

R.ti.ed. 

1865,  :\lay  13. 

Dismissed. 

1870,  June  6. 


Deceased. 

1690,  Ausr.  31. 
1721,  Julv  14. 
1704,  Dec.  4. 
1772,  Jan.  25. 
In  Windham,  Ct. 
175;'.,  Oct.  7. 
1748,  M:iy  15. 
1771,  Jan.  17. 
1766,  Aug.  24. 
1798.  Nov.  10. 
1817,  Julv  25. 
1812,  Jan.  15. 
1827,  July  24. 
1849.  :\Iav  23. 
1856,  Aug.  9. 
1856,  Nov.  18. 
1847,  Aug.  10. 

1854,  Oct.  8. 
1871,  Sept. 


176 


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